If you, or anyone you know has been affected by sexual assault, please contact either SARC or beyondblue. 

By Brendan Chapman, Senior Lecturer in Forensics, Murdoch University 

 

Sexual assault is one of the most devastating crimes that someone can experience. Unfortunately, it affects many people across our community, and Australian university communities are sadly not immune. As places that bring people together, universities have a responsibility to ensure that everyone feels safe on campus. Part of doing that is having open conversations about sexual violence, how to prevent it, and how to respond to it as a university community if it happens.  

Firstly, we should consider what sexual harm actually is, because it’s not always limited by actions involving sexual intercourse. I give classes to forensic science students on sex crimes, and many are surprised that sexual harm can be defined by a range of behaviours that make someone feel uncomfortable in a sexual manner. In addition to unwanted/non-consensual physical touching, these behaviours can also include actions like staring, leering, inappropriate comments and sending of explicit images. It is important to understand the range of behaviours that constitute sexual harm to ensure everyone’s wellbeing – we all have the right to be free of these behaviours. That starts with all of us as a community – if you see it, call it out, report it, or check in with the person who the behaviour was directed at. 

Whilst sexual assault on our campus is uncommon, it is unfortunate that the national data shows that university students are at higher risk of sexual assault than the general population. Despite ever-growing advances in forensic science, sexual violence statistics in Australia continue to rise, with 22 per cent of Australian women experiencing it. Sexual violence statistically affects women more than any other group, but it’s important to note that it also affects a range of genders, not limited to men and women. The National Student Safety Survey (NSSS) reports that trans and gender diverse students experience sexual harm, twice that of women. Perhaps even more alarming is that 92 per cent of sexual assaults are not reported to police, meaning our forensic efforts are often not even put to action. I suspect that a lack of understanding creates a barrier to assault victims/survivors, so as someone who’s worked on hundreds of sexual assault cases in my career, I’ll aim to explain the options available to anyone put in this terrible situation. 

Following a sexual assault, there is no right way to feel. Everyone’s experience is unique to them. Fortunately, there are lots of different facilities and professionals that can assist a victim following an assault. What is important is that victims tell someone so that they can be given the appropriate care. 

Where to go? 

As a forensic scientist, my first interest following a sexual assault is with the evidence, as it’s the best opportunity to apprehend the perpetrator. My forensic interest, however, isn’t always in the best interest of the victim, and welfare always comes first. Victims can report to many places: a police station, hospital, general practitioner, or to the Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC). There are people and places on campus too. Many victim/survivors begin by talking to a friend or family member, so being armed with this information makes you a powerful ally too. 

SARC and the major WA hospitals are all well equipped to treat sexual assault victims, ensuring the health and wellbeing of the victim/survivor as their priority. Here at Murdoch we have a team of trained health professionals working as Sexual Harm Support Officers (SHSO). Once they receive a disclosure, they support the person who experienced sexual harm to identify what next steps they want to take, which includes support to access SARC, WA Police and other support services (e.g., University counselling service). The SHSO’s are all registered health professionals and are trained to work in trauma-informed ways. Disclosures can be made in person or via the university's confidential online system that also allows for anonymity.. 

Sexual assault clinics and police stations should always offer an Early Evidence Kit (EEK), which is similar to a first aid kit, and allows the victim/survivor to self-collect samples that might later be used by forensics. These kits are vital, as time following assault is one the most important factors in capturing valuable forensic evidence. What’s important about the EEK is that you can collect the samples without needing to commit to filing a police report. It’s a great just in case opportunity. 

Following the self-collection, specialist sexual assault clinicians and counsellors will talk to a victim/survivor to discuss their experience and ensure that their mental and physical health is taken care of as a priority. They can provide STD medicine and emergency contraception. Following that, and only with the consent of the patient, they can undertake a full examination if needed. 

It’s not crucial that sexual assault victim/survivors file an official police report. I’ve seen and understand the reservations that many have in talking about these matters with police officers. However, you should know that the specialist police sexual assault squads are specifically trained to ensure that discretion and sensitivity is observed. They also have a good mix of genders among their teams so that victims can chat with whomever they’re comfortable with when reporting. By reporting an offence, you allow law enforcement to open the forensic science toolkit and hopefully prevent this from occurring again. 

The sooner the better, because as discussed, evidence is lost the longer that it’s left untouched. That said, it’s never too late to report a sexual assault, as you’d be surprised at what forensic science can do even years later. Early evidence kits can be held for years, before an official report is filed. 

Australian universities can do better – that’s clear from the findings of the NSSS. Murdoch has implemented processes and procedures to respond to incidents as well as initiatives to prevent sexual harm, but ultimately, we all can help make our campuses safer. For example earlier this year Murdoch students participated in a consultation process relating to primary prevention of sexual harm. The outcomes from this informed the development of a Good Practice Guide to assist all Australian universities in their efforts to prevent sexual harm. 

If you see or experience any behaviour that you believe is, or could be, sexual harm, call it out if you feel safe to do so, or report it to one of the SHSO’S. Don’t forget, University Security is available 24/7 and there are also lots of useful tools in the MurdochSafe app to keep you safe.