What is Respect at Uni Week?

Respect At Uni Week (18 to 22 March) aims to eradicate violence in universities and promote greater safety and inclusion to all students. It is a nationally recognised initiative, stemming from the Victorian Tertiary Primary Prevention Network. In it’s inaugural year, Universities from across Australia joined forces to commemorate Respect At Uni Week by engaging in courageous conversations, events and opportunities to spread important safety messages, opening the door to a brighter future and connecting students with education and support services.

On Monday 18 March, all five Western Australian universities joined together to promote the importance of respect, equality and inclusion by sponsoring author and advocate, Matt Brown, to deliver a keynote presentation at ECU’s Mount Lawley campus. The presentation was shared across all our campuses and online spaces. Photo: University Equity Staff with keynote speaker Matt Brown (middle).

Taimalelagi Mataio Faafetai (Matt) Brown is a New Zealand born Samoan author and renowned communicator who works to eradicate domestic violence by supporting those who perpetrate violence, to heal. As survivor of family violence and childhood sexual abuse, Matt understands all too well the difficulties faced by men and how this can escalate into violent behaviours. Matt and his wife, Sarah, together founded She Is Not Your Rehab, a global anti-violence movement which emerged from having vulnerable and honest conversations with men in Matt’s barbershop. Matt’s 2019 TEDx talk - The Barbershop where men go to heal – outlines how they launched the concept.

At his keynote presentation, Matt said there is a need for more conversations and support services.

“The need for courageous conversations and accessible support services in the family harm sector has never been greater. This year, Australia have lost 19 women to intimate partner violence. Which is already more than one woman a week since the beginning of 2024.”

"We have to do better. Our communities should be safe and free from violence.”

"A huge thank you to the WA Universities for leading the conversation for our next generation and creating a culture of respect in their communities.”

In addition to She Is Not Your Rehab, the Wellbeing and Equity Projects team organised several free activities throughout Respect at Uni Week, focusing on themes of respecting yourself and respecting your community, as well as promoting allyship, respect and inclusion. 

Students at the Mandurah and Perth campuses were able to open the conversation about respect by joining in on activities as part of the Den including meditation, yoga, and a community craft activity where they decorated pot plants with respectful messaging and imagery guided by the concept of “plant respect and watch it grow.” 

Additionally, live music delivered by Murdoch’s very own Imperfect King, rounded out the event as students built meaningful connection and pledged their own commitment to building respect at Murdoch.

Thank you to all the students and staff who supported our first Respect at Uni Week, which will continue as an annual event at Murdoch through the Den. The Den is Murdoch’s drop-in wellbeing space for students, open every Monday to Friday (at the Perth campus) throughout semester, from 10am-2pm.

Respect at Uni week will be an annual event at Murdoch, and we are committed to continuing the conversations around respectful relationships and reducing harm. 

If you or someone you know needs help, we encourage you to reach out to one of the below services.

• 1800 Respect (1800 737 732) - Confidential information, counselling, and support service for family domestic violence
• Murdoch University Counselling Service - a team of qualified and experienced counsellors, dedicated to promoting student wellbeing and resilience through online and face-to-face support, free to all enrolled student.
• Murdoch University Medical Service - general health services and advice to promote the well-being of the Murdoch community.
• Employee Assistance Program - free and confidential service to help employees at all levels who have personal concerns that affect personal wellbeing or work performance
• Sexual assault resource centre (1800 199 888) - 24/7 emergency line for recent sexual assault and crisis counselling services
• QLife (1800 784 527) - Anonymous and free LGBTIQA+ peer support 3pm-midnight
• 13 YARN (13 92 76) - 24/7 Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support
• Beyond Blue (1300 224 636) - Mental health support service

For more information, including how to disclose incidents of sexual harm, visit Murdoch’s Respect.Now.Always webpage.