Today Federal Education Minister Jason Clare released the draft Action Plan, Addressing gender-based violence in higher education.
Patty Kinnersly, Expert Advisor to the Education Minister’s Commonwealth-led Universities Accord governance Working Group and Our Watch CEO is available for interview to discuss the key actions to end the high rates of violence against students and staff within university communities.
Key recommendations:
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A Commonwealth appointed National Student Ombudsman with investigative and dispute resolution powers
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Universities to embed a whole-of-institution approach to prevent gender-based violence
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A National Code to strengthen accountability for systemic issues with a focus on prevention and respectful relationship education
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Improving the standards and accountability of student accommodation
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Universities to work with states and territories on potential legislative and regulative reform in order to prioritise the safety of victim survivors in responding to disclosures and reports of gender-based violence.
Our Watch CEO Patty Kinnersly:
“This plan can be the catalyst for ending gendered violence in our university communities. It outlines immediate actions, such as improving support for victim-survivors, while also working to actively change the culture that allows this violence to occur.
“Gender-based violence is preventable if we address and challenge the root causes of gender inequality and disrespectful attitudes that exist in university systems, structures and policies.
“The good news is that we are not starting from scratch, universities have done some good work in addressing gendered violence to date, but this action plan will improve consistency, build on existing momentum and connect this work to the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children.
“By committing to this plan, universities have a powerful opportunity to help 1.5 million students and over 130,000 staff to be safe, equal and have thriving futures,” Ms Kinnersly said.
For more information see the Draft Action Plan addressing gender-based violence in higher education publication - Department of Education, Australian Government
Please contact media@ourwatch.org.au or 0412 612 039