Making a Report

The UMSU Sexual Harm Response Coordinators work with the UMSU Advocacy and Legal Service and provide support with making formal complaints to UMSU and the University of Melbourne and reporting to the police University.

If you aren't sure if you'd like to make a complaint or report, we can talk you through the process and provide you with more information. It is your choice whether you would like to make a report and you can change your mind at any time. 

We can also help you access support services, if you wish.

Contact us via this form.

 

If you have experienced harm from someone affiliated with UMSU (for example, an UMSU student leader or an UMSU staff member), you have the option of making a formal complaint to UMSU.

 

To make a complaint, you can contact UMSU HR (hr@union.unimelb.edu.au), an UMSU Contact Officer), or the Sexual Harm Response Coordinators.

 

We take a trauma-informed and person-centred approach to all disclosures, reports and resolution processes. This means that people with concerns are at the centre of our response.

 

UMSU HR coordinates all complaints and investigations. You will be connected with a case manager who will talk you through the next steps and be your main point of contact throughout the process. 

 

Immediate steps can be taken to ensure your safety around UMSU spaces if you wish. A case manager will coordinate this. 

 

All information shared will be confidential and shared only on a need-to-know basis, except where UMSU has a legal obligation or duty of care to protect individual's or a community's safety. 

Making a formal complaint to the University of Melbourne

If you’re thinking of making a report to the University, we recommend you contact the UMSU Sexual Harm Response Coordinators to assist you and provide independent advice. 

 

There are two places where you can make a formal complaint to the university. You can choose which place suits you best: 

 

Safer Community Program

The SCP is the Universities main point of contact for reporting of inappropriate, concerning or threatening behaviour. This includes sexual misconduct, sexual harassment and sexual assault. 

They can also provide a confidential support and advice. 

Call: 03 9035 8675

Email: safer-community@unimelb.edu.au

Visit: Stop 1, 757 Swanston Street, Parkville, 3052.

 

The Speak Safely Portal

This is an online portal that you can use to make anonymous complaints or to speak to a university about your complaint without being identified.

Reporting to Victoria Police

If you are in immediate danger, or fear for your safety, please contact emergency services on 000. 

 

Sexual assault is a crime and you have the right to report it to police. You can also report sexual assault to your local police station.

 

You may not be comfortable with reporting to your local police station. Within Victoria there are specialist police called Sexual Offenses and Child Abuse Investigation Teams (SOCITs). Police within these teams are trained to support survivors of sexual assault. You can directly call these teams to report sexual assault, for example, the number for the Melbourne area SOCIT is (03) 8690 4056

 

If you don't feel comfortable contacting the police directly the Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA) is a confidential and free counselling service that can provide support to you in making a report to the police.