UMSU Contact Officers

graphic of one person talking in a squiggly line going into another person's ear

What is a Contact Officer?

In many ways, Contact Officers are "the ears of an organisation". They are a network of trained staff and students who are there to listen to concerns, advise on options to resolve or address those concerns, and support people while UMSU deals with the issues raised.

Contact Officers at UMSU have volunteered and been trained to act as a point of contact for students and staff who have experienced, or witnessed inappropriate behaviour, such as harassment, bullying, discrimination, victimsation or intimate partner violence.

By establishing a network of Contact Officers, we are building a safe and comfortable environment for elected student represenatives, staff, and volunteers to raise concerns about inappropriate behaviour or misconduct within UMSU, and advice for those who need to know more about how UMSU can support them if they are affected by intimate partner violence.

How Can an UMSU Contact Officer assist?

UMSU Contact Officers can help with general enquiries or concerns about imappropriate workplace conduct and/or intimate partner violence by:

providing information, guidance and support on options to resolve issues and explain choices to prevent issues escalating
provide information, guidance and resources to assist with matters related to intimate partner violence
outlining UMSU's policies, processes and principles for dealing with concerning behaviour and supporting those affected by intimate partner violence
referring people to other key support services listed below, both internally and externally
guiding them to explore other options, if they are not able to solve their issue or manage the situation (for example, steps to take in formalising a complaint, or engaging alternative/restorative resolution processes).

Seeking Support from a Contact Officer

There are a number of Contact Officers across UMSU, both staff and elected student representatives. If you need advice and support, you can contact any of them - you don't need to contact someone in the same work area as you - for example if you are an elected student representative, you don't need to speak to a Contact Officer who is also an elected student rep, similarly, a staff member from Advocacy & Legal can talk to a Contact Officer based in Arts & Culture. All UMSU Contact Officers are trained, trustworthy and compassionate.

Who are the UMSU Contact Officers?

Xanthe Beesley	Artistic Director/ Theatre Coordinator	xanthe.beesley@union.unimelb.edu.au
Alana Smith	Senior Advocate	aj.smith@union.unimelb.edu.au
Georgia Davies	Assessment and Triage Coordinator	georgia.davies@union.unimelb.edu.au
Belinda Dalton	Information Centre Officer	belinda.dalton@union.unimelb.edu.au
Saurya Rawal	Women’s Committee	saurya.rawal1@student.unimelb.edu.au
Sonika Agarwal	Education Officer (Academic)	sonika.agarwal.1@union.unimelb.edu.au
Harrishman Shobanan	Education Officer (Academic)	h.shobanan@union.unimelb.edu.au
Kunal Dewani	Welfare Officer	k.dewani@union.unimelb.edu.au

Who else can I speak to?

Crisis Support

If you think there is an immediate risk to yourself or another person, please call:

University of Melbourne Campus Security on 834 46666
Emergency services on 000

UMSU Supports

UMSU Sexual Harm Response Coordinators

(SHRCs)

If you are unsure about your options and would like to receive advice, the SHRCs can talk through support and complaint options. The SHRCs can also assist you to make a complaint within UMSU, to the University, reporting to the police and referrals to other support services.

Please note on Tuesdays the University Psychology and Counselling services utilises the SHRC office. The SHRC’s will be located inside the adjacent Advocacy and Legal space on Tuesdays.

Email: umsu-shrc@union.unimelb.edu.au

Please use this form to book an appointment

UMSU Human Resources Team

Email: hr@union.unimelb.edu.au

NTEU delegates

The NTEU is the National Tertiary Education Union, representing staff members of universities. If you are a member, you can receive advice and support via the help@work page in the member portal.

NTEU has an office in building 166 at the Parkville campus. Please note this is not always staffed. For urgent requests, you can contact the UniMelb Branch President on 0458 174 000.

The University of Melbourne supports

Safer Community Program (SCP)

The SCP provides support and advice to members of the University community about inappropriate, concerning or threatening behaviour, including sexual misconduct.

Call via 03 9035 8675

Email via safer-community@unimelb.edu.au

Visit the SCP at Stop 1, 757 Swanston Street, Parkville, 3052

Counselling and psychological support (CAPS)

University of Melbourne students can access free, confidential, short-term psychological counselling. They can support applications for academic special consideration. There are two dedicated international student counsellors and a dedicated LGBTQIA+ counsellor.

To book or contact, visit the website or call via 03 8344 6927

External to the University

CASA (Centre Against Sexual Assault)

A network of 15 centers across Victoria that provide survivors with support and resources. They provide advocacy for victim/survivors to support a range of needs that may arise following a sexual assault. This may include navigating the legal system, contacting the police or accessing financial or housing services.

Call 1800 806 292 to speak to a counsellor for crisis support after a recent sexual assault.

Their website https://www.casahouse.com.au/contact-us has further contact details for various services.

13YARN

A free crisis support line, run by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This line provides a culturally safe, non-judgmental, private and confidential space to yarn about any needs, worries or concerns.

Call via 13 92 76 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)

Rainbow Door

A specialist helpline for LGBTQIA+ people, their friends and family regarding sexual health, harassment and relationship issues.

Call via 1800 729 367 (10am-5pm, 7 days a week)

Email via support@rainbowdoor.org.au

Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team (SOCIT)

Within Victoria Police, this is the specialist team that investigates both sexual assault and child abuse.

You can find the contact details for your local police station here.

Becoming a Contact Officer at UMSU

UMSU does an annual intake of volunteers from among staff and elected students for this important role.

Back to the Complaints Portal