Sexual Offences Reporting Portal - Frequently Asked Questions

The portal is for reporting any sexual offence, meaning a sexual activity that was unwanted, not consented to or that made a person feel uncomfortable. The portal securely captures all reports for investigation by the Complaints Resolution Unit.

Anyone can make a report. It could be a person who has experienced a sexual offence, someone reporting the assault for them, a support person, friend, parent or staff member.

Reports are managed by the University's Complaints Resolution Unit. For more information see here

Yes. You can add as much or as little information as you are comfortable with. However, please be aware that an anonymous report may be difficult to investigate if there is insufficient detail.

Yes. Anyone can use the portal, including the person who has experienced the sexual offence or someone reporting the assault for them. See here on supporting a friend.

Yes you can.  If there's a chance that you, or other people, might be in danger, please call the Police immediately (000).

Yes. Each person takes their own time to process and disclosure assault and harassment. The University will investigate historical reports to the best of its ability.

Yes.

You will be given a reference number once you submit the final page of your report. If you want to save a copy when you report, we recommend screenshots or photos.

If you are in danger, call the Police 000 immediately. Your safety is important. You can make a report later.

Yes, but if you think you may be in danger, call the Police 000 now.

No. Anyone can use the portal, including the person who has experienced the sexual offence or someone reporting the assault on their behalf.

"Sexual offences" mean some type of sexual act which is not consented to. It usually means unwanted sexual touching but also includes unwanted image sharing and threatening to touch.

Sexual assault is a legal term used to describe a range of sexual offences, including kissing or touching them, as well as penetration of the person’s body with a body part or object.

Sexual harassment means any unwelcome behaviour of a sexual nature that makes a person feel offended, humiliated or intimidated, and which a reasonable person, having regard to all the circumstances, would have anticipated would cause the person to feel offended, humiliated or intimidated. At Western, sexual harassment is covered by a separate policy – the Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy.

Consent means both people freely and voluntarily agree to sexual activity. It also means taking responsibility to ensure the other person is comfortable at all times. A person can withdraw their consent at any time.

When the University becomes aware of an allegation involving a sexual offence, it will respond promptly to the person reporting the allegation by providing support, information and facilitating access to relevant counselling, with the exception of reports made anonymously.

The Complaints Resolution Unit aim to respond to your query by the next working day. See here (opens in a new window) for more.

The University will manage each report on a case by case basis and we would generally consult with you before contacting the police.

No. The University will take all reports seriously and the fact of making a report will not have a negative impact on you.

The University will not disclose any information to any individual without your express consent.

All reports are taken seriously. The University will take relevant action if someone makes a report they know or must reasonably know is false.

Making a report is a serious matter. Requests for a report to be withdrawn will be considered, however, there may be obligations to act once the University receives a report.

If a report progresses to an investigation, you will be advised and given the opportunity to respond in accordance with procedural fairness. The University's investigations will be procedurally fair. The person allegedly responsible for the sexual offence will have the opportunity to understand and respond to the allegations made against them before a determination is made.

The University has policies in place which encourage respect for all members of its community.  All reports will be taken seriously.    

The “reasonable person” test decides if behaviour is sexual harassment.  It basically assesses the behaviour against the standard that the community would expect of a person.

For more on sexual harassment, see here (opens in a new window).

If a report progresses to an investigation, you will be advised and given the opportunity to respond in accordance with procedural fairness. The Sexual Offences Response Policy and Procedures (opens in a new window) will be followed.

It is recognised that the alleged offender also needs support. Campus Safety and Security will ensure the most appropriate method of informing the alleged offender/s about available legal and support services. Where the alleged offender/s is a student, Campus Safety and Security will also report the matter to the Chief Student Experience Officer for preliminary investigation under the Student Misconduct Rule and to the Executive Director, Student Services and Manager, Complaints Resolution.

If a report progresses to an investigation, you will be advised and given the opportunity to respond in accordance with procedural fairness. Sexual Offences Response Policy and Procedures (opens in a new window) will be followed.

It is recognised that the alleged offender also needs support. Campus Safety and Security will ensure the most appropriate method of informing the alleged offender/s about available legal and support services. Where the alleged offender/s is a staff member, Campus Safety and Security will also report the matter to the Executive Director, Human Resources for handling under the relevant staff Enterprise Agreement.

It's up to you whether you want to report or not.

However, Western Sydney University encourages survivors and bystanders to report behaviour which may constitute a sexual offence.

Our First Responder Network is available here (opens in a new window)

Please contact whoever you trust. Perhaps they can help you use the portal. This is your choice. You can get in touch with our First Responder Network (opens in a new window) or contact our  Counselling team (opens in a new window) - 1300 668 370.

The University Counselling Service (opens in a new window) is here to help. Please contact us and we can work with you to help you choose what to do. Staff may contact our Employee Assistance Provider (opens in a new window).

If you need support during the weekend or after hours, we recommend calling 1800 RESPECT (opens in a new window) (1800 737 732) or NSW Rape Crisis (opens in a new window) (1800 424 017). There are many good services offering free and confidential care. Please see Respect Now Always' Support page (opens in a new window) for more. You can also contact Campus Safety and Security (opens in a new window) at any time.

Western Sydney University values your privacy and has strict rules about this. Information collected from you is stored in a secure database and will only be used to process your report. See the information in the portal on More information about how your personal information is managed.

The University will not disclose any information to any individual without your express consent.