UTAS released an internal review into its sexual abuse and harassment procedures and policies, which detailed a lack of a consistent mechanism for reporting and investigation.

It also revealed a lack of understanding among staff and students about policies and procedures that need to be followed if a complaint has been made.

University of Tasmania vice-chancellor Rufus Black said the university was adopting all the recommendations made in its internal report.

“We need to take a proactive approach, and say sexual assault and harassment is not ok,” he said.

Sexual assault support service president Jill Maxwell and the Tasmanian University Union both praised UTAS’ proactive approach to the issue.

Ms Maxwell said sexual abuse was common in all facets of society she urged other organisations to take such an internal look at its processes.

However, Women’s Legal Service’s Susan Fahey said the steps were positive, she was disappointed it had taken so long for action to be taken. 

“It shouldn’t have taken the Human Rights Commission to have released their report...universities know they have a problem,” Ms Fahey said.

UTAS’ internal review was prompted after the release a national report by the Human Rights Commission last year.

More than 40 recommendations were made as part of the internal review, which largely investigated culture issues.

University staff, including management, its legal counsel members of the Tasmanian University Union and student representatives were interviewed for the internal review.

University accommodation was noted as the report as common sites for sexual abuse and harassment.

The report’s authors noted there was a “strong sense of tribalism” among those who live at university residential accommodation.

This tribalism has fostered behaviour such as hazing and college traditions facilitate a culture that may increase the likelihood of sexual violence.

“Misplaced loyalty among residents, with a reluctance among students living in residential accommodation to speak out against fellow students who may be alleged perpetrators.”

UTAS Professor Marg Otlowski said the university was striving to create a balance between the two competing interests – safety and culture.

“We have a role to play in the community to be a leader in this area,” she said.

Professor Otlowski said UTAS was actively trying to ensure its culture and the experience was maintained while improving safety for students.

A common theme to emerge among the interviewees was concerns around alcohol.

Alcohol was described in the report as a “significant cultural problem” that increased the likelihood of sexual assault and sexual harassment on campus.

Several interviewees said students have strong expectations that alcohol would be served at University social events and they would not accept alcohol-free events.

“A common criticism of student life at the university was a limited social life and, for this reason,t hey would be reluctant to see a reduction in the number of social activities offered,” the report read.

Professor Black said alcohol was often part of the student experience at university, but that didn’t mean safety needed to be compromised.

“The better we are at managing it [alcohol] the safer it becomes,” he said.

“We understand the need for a proactive approach.”

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Potential exploitation of students undertaking higher-degrees was also mentioned in the report.

“An issue was also raised about the relationship of higher degree students with supervisors and the potential for the power imbalance in these relationships to be exploited,” the report read.

These concerns were raised by the student representatives and TUU staff interviewed, although key university staff also raised some of the same concerns.

Tasmanian University Union president Jess Robertson applauded the university’s proactive approach to the review.

“I think the response takes absolute ownership and that’s fantastic,” she said.

Ms Robertson said instances of sexual abuse and harassment had been documented in the past.

However, she said the response by the university was transparent.

“It gives students the opportunity to see exactly what steps are being taken and when they will be addressed,” she said.

Sexual Assault Support Service president Jill Maxwell said the university should be commended for its thorough review.

“You can’t fix the something without knowing the problem,” she said.

Ms Maxwell said demand for the SASS’ services had increased over the past two financial years.

Last financial year demand for the support service rose 33 per cent and this year, Ms Maxwell said they had exceeded that growth.

“However, that doesn’t mean sexual assault has increased, it just means that more people are seeking our services,” she said.

Women’s Legal Service’s Susan Fahey said it was great to see an institution like UTAS commissioning such a thorough review.

However, she said she would wait and see if and how thoroughly they implemented all the recommendations.

“It’s concerning and disappointing that they have not had a mechanism in place to deal with sexual abuse and harassment, considering how common it is,” she said.

She said it was a positive sign the university was focusing on overhauling its culture.

“UTAS is kicking some serious goals out there but none of that means anything if their campuses aren’t staff for students.”

If you need any help you can contact SASS or the Women’s Legal Service. 

Contact Lifeline on 13 11 44.