1 in 6 university students responding to the survey had experienced sexual harassment in a university context. One in 12 had experienced sexual harassment in the past 12 months. The figure for the last 12 months includes 10.5% of female students, 3.9% of male students, 14.7% of transgender students, and 22.4% of non-binary students.
1 in 20 university students responding to the survey had experienced sexual assault in a university context. One in 90 had experienced sexual assault in the past 12 months. The figure for the last 12 months includes 1.4% of female students, 0.6% of male students, 3.2% of transgender students, and 2.2% of non-binary students.
2 in 3 students who experienced sexual assault knew some or all of the perpetrators. The number for students who experienced sexual harassment was 1 in 2.
1 in 20 students who were sexually assaulted made a formal complaint, and 1 in 30 students who were sexually harassed.
About the survey
The results come from the National Student Safety Survey conducted by the Social Research Centre on behalf of Universities Australia. 43,819 students participated. In a statement on the results, Universities Australia Chair Professor John Dewar said he was “deeply sorry… every person has the right to be and feel safe so that they can learn, work, live and thrive… We know we need to do more, and we will do it.”
