National Student Safety Survey

2021 National Student Safety Survey

Western took part in the 2021 National Student Safety Survey (2021 NSSS) as part of our commitment to ensuring we have a culture of respectful relationships.

The national results can be found on the 2021 NSSS website and an infographic of our institutional data can be found below. Please note the reports contain descriptions of sexual harassment and sexual assault.

The findings from the survey are confidential, de-identified and aggregated, and will be used to improve services, planning and policies to make universities across Australia safer for all students. A safer community means everyone can reach their full potential.

The University’s full data set will be released to students and staff in the near future and can be accessed via a link from this page.

The University has zero tolerance for sexual assault and sexual harassment. It has no place within our University community and our broader society. The University places the safety and wellbeing of our staff, students and visitors as our highest priority. Every member of our University community has the right to safety, respect, dignity and fairness and we are committed to upholding this on our campuses, online and through all other University activities. Hear more from our Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Barney Glover AO:

Thank you

Thank you to each of the 817 Western Sydney University students who responded to the survey, and to all those who bravely shared their personal stories. Your contribution will help us do better by recognising where we have fallen short and where we need to continue to improve. It will also enable us to identify where we have been able to make meaningful signs of progress and change in recent years.

Help is available

If you have experienced or witnessed sexual assault, harassment, or any unwanted sexual behaviour, we are here to help.

Free, confidential and professional counselling is available.

At the University

Students can contact the Counselling Service on 1300 668 370 or email counselling@westernsydney.edu.au

For a full list of support options available for students, visit our Support at Western page

Staff members can contact the Employee Assistance Program - call 1800 818 728, or download the AccessEAP app

Outside the University

You can also seek support from the national referral services outlined below:

Remember, you do not have to report an incident to access support.

Do you want to report an incident?

In any emergency, please call 000

At Western, you may contact the Complaints Resolution Unit on 02 9678 7900 or email complaints@westernsydney.edu.au

Alternatively, you may report online the Sexual Offences Reporting Portal

Sexual harassment may also be reported at the Australian Human Rights Commission

Online abuse can be reported at the Office of the eSafety Commissioner