Training

Respect Matters at Western Sydney University

Western Sydney University is committed to creating a safe, respectful and inclusive environment where everyone can learn, work and thrive. The Respect Matters: Addressing Consent and Gender‑Based Violence training is a key part of how we build shared understanding, strengthen capability, and meet our responsibilities to prevent and respond to gender‑based violence across our community.

Why Respect Matters

Gender‑based violence, including sexual harassment, sexual assault and coercive control, remains a significant issue in our communities. Universities have a responsibility not only to respond when harm occurs, but to actively prevent it by building knowledge, confidence and shared responsibility across our campuses.

The National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender‑Based Violence requires universities to provide mandatory, evidence‑based training for students and staff, with a strong focus on consent, bystander action, responding to disclosures, and survivor support.

The Respect Matters online training helps support Western Sydney University to meet these requirements while centring care, inclusion and psychosocial safety for our students and staff.

Why this matters at Western

Respect Matters is not just about compliance. It supports a culture where:

This work aligns with Western Sydney University’s broader commitment to wellbeing, inclusion and safer communities for all our students, staff and visitors.

Respect Matters training is trauma‑informed and inclusive by design

The Respect Matters module has been designed to prioritise safety. Content is delivered online, at a self‑paced rhythm, and includes features that allow participants to manage their engagement if material feels challenging, by hiding content or accessing support information at any point.

Staff and Students can also request an exemption from completing the training where participation may be unsafe due to lived or living experience of gender-based violence, or where equivalent training has already been completed (in the last 12 months). This process does not require personal disclosure and is managed confidentially to prevent re‑traumatisation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence?
The National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender‑Based Violence is a legislated national framework that sets mandatory, enforceable standards for universities and higher education providers across Australia. The Code requires institutions to take a whole‑of‑organisation, trauma‑informed approach to preventing and responding to gender‑based violence, including building staff and student capability, supporting disclosures, and ensuring accountability at all levels. Compliance with the Code is mandatory and monitored by the Australian Government.
What is the Respect Matters Training?
Respect Matters: Addressing Consent and Gender‑Based Violence is an online learning program developed specifically for the higher education sector. It has been co‑designed with subject matter experts, educators, and university representatives including staff and students across Australia. It has been developed using an inclusive and trauma‑informed approach.
What is Gender Based Violence?
Gender‑based violence is any form of physical or non‑physical violence or abuse against someone based on their gender that harms, controls or causes fear. It can be physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, social, financial or cyber abuse, and may include stalking or monitoring, as well as family and domestic violence. Gender-based violence often starts with disrespectful language and minor acts of aggression and can impact on wellbeing and educational and employment outcomes. Gender-based violence can occur wherever students or staff study, work or live.
How do I access the Training?

At Western, the training is delivered online through the University’s learning platform and forms part of a broader, whole‑of‑community approach to respect, safety and inclusion.

  • Students will receive notification when the training is available via the vUWS platform >>TBC.
  • Staff can access training via their Staff Online My Career login and searching 'Respect Matters'
What does the training include?

Respect Matters includes tailored learning for different roles within the University:

Students complete four modules focused on:

Gender‑based violence and consent

  • Safe, respectful and healthy relationships
  • How to support others and seek help
  • Building a safe and inclusive campus culture

Staff complete three modules focused on:

  • Gender‑based violence and consent in university settings
  • Responding to disclosures and supporting people with lived experience
  • Supporting a safe and inclusive campus culture, including prevention and shared responsibility
What if I find the content to difficult to engage with?
We understand that for some people, this content can be particularly difficult because of lived or living experiences of gender-based violence. If the content feels unsafe for you to complete, you can request an exemption by completing this form
How long does the training take to complete?
The program takes around 1 – 1.5 hours to complete, but each module can be completed separately so you can spread out completion.
I am a student, do I have to complete the training?
Yes, this training is compulsory for all students enrolled at Western Sydney University (including undergraduate, postgraduate, HDR and entry pathway program).  Training must be completed within the first semester annually.
I am a staff member, do I have to complete the training?
Yes, this training is compulsory for all existing and new permanent, fixed term and/or casual staff at WSU and the College must complete the training as a condition of their employment.
What will happen if I don’t complete the training?

If you do not complete the training within the required timeframe:

  • Students access to >>TBC<< may be restricted (where an exemption has not been granted).
  • Staff will need to have a formal meeting with their supervisor, if they have not been granted an exemption.
I am a student and did not complete the training by the due date and now cannot access my semester results.  Who can I contact?

If your access has been restricted due to non-completion, you must complete the training.

Confirmation required on how this will be managed.

Responding to Disclosures

We all want to be heard and respected. When something terrible happens, we want to be believed and confirmed.

A person's early disclosure experiences plays a significant role in their healing and justice journey. Specifically, a supportive disclosure experience may assist in helping survivors understand that while something happened to them, it does not define them. We also know that anyone may receive a disclosure, including tutors, student leaders and professional staff.

This training suite has been developed with a range of specialists including Western's Sexualities and Genders Research (opens in a new window), the University Wellbeing Team, trauma expert and criminologist Dr Ashlee Gore and public health prevention and response practitioner Stephen Zissermann.

In 90 minutes we cover the why, how and what next of listening to someone talk about their experience of sexual violence (online, f2f and hybrid options available; max. capacity 25).

This training is informed by the experience of survivors and is dedicated to survivors, friends, families and advocates.

Active Bystanders

We all have a role to play in creating and maintaining safer and more respectful communities.

While the bystander effect is real, we can all take safe action that can stop or reduce conflict.