This year there has been significant national media attention on revelations of sexual assault, harassment and consent. This means it is more important than ever to stand up and speak out against sexual harm, and to support people in our community who have been affected by sexual harm.

Support

If you have been affected by sexual harm, please know you are not alone and there is support available.

At Murdoch, we take a trauma-informed approach in our Sexual Harm Policy, which was released late last year, with Sexual Harm Support Officers (SHSO), who can help engage you with specialist services, make a report, and understand university processes. 

Members of the Murdoch community who have experienced sexual harm are encouraged, when they feel ready, to make a disclosure to a SHSO in the Access, Wellbeing and Equity team online through our incident notification form or through the Murdoch Safe App. Disclosures are treated confidentially and can be made anonymously.

On campus, Murdoch University Health Medical and Counselling services provide a range of services for students and staff. Both services can usually offer appointments within two working days, and the Medical service provides walk-in appointments with the University nurse for urgent situations.

You can also access 24-hour support through the services listed on our Respect Now Always website, such as SARC, 1800 Respect and Lifeline.

You can also find out how you can support victims of sexual harm.

Calendar of events

Throughout the next month, we're hosting a series of events to support anyone in our community who has experienced, witnessed or been informed of sexual harm. These events are free and open to the whole Murdoch community.

• Thursday 15 April: Responding to Disclosures of Sexual Harm

• Join us for a panel discussion at Murdoch’s Mandurah campus about how to respond to disclosures of sexual harm and the impact this can have on someone’s recovery journey. We will be joined by two women with lived experience and local support services from the Mandurah area. All students are encouraged to come along and you are welcome to bring questions for our panel.

• Wednesday 21 April: Speaking out Against Sexual Violence
• Join us at South Street campus as we open the conversation and speak out against sexual harm. Supported by local Perth band Ribs to open and close the event, come listen to live music followed by stories of lived experience from Young Women Against Sexual Violence, the challenges faced in disclosing, and the continual journey to recovery.
• Wednesday 28 April: Healing after Hurt
• After the powerful month of April, join us on South Street campus for some time to relax and heal as we take a gentle approach to self-care. Come let out your artistic spirit, join in for some calming meditation, take a more active approach with healing yoga, or simply cuddle one of our four legged friends.