University of Queensland (UQ) Vice-Chancellor, Deborah Terry (pictured) has given her assurance that the university takes matters of sexual assault and misconduct very seriously.
“Providing a safe and respectful place to study and work is a basic right that our community deserves,” Professor Terry said.
“In recent years, we have done a lot of work to raise awareness, educate our community and provide confidential and trauma-informed support and reporting,” she said.
“Even with this progress and focus, I acknowledge that sometimes our processes can be complex and lengthy, and this can cause further distress for the individuals involved.”
She said this was one of those times, and she was deeply sorry for the distress this had caused.
“While we cannot, and will not, shy away from the responsibility of doing better, I do want to acknowledge that these can be incredibly difficult matters that have life-changing outcomes for complainants and alleged perpetrators,” Professor Terry said.
She said she had asked external experts to undertake a review of UQ’s student disciplinary policy and processes, including in relation to the management of sexual misconduct complaints.
The findings of the review and recommendations had been endorsed by the UQ Senate in December. Following this, a working group was established to oversee the implementation of the recommendations.
Changes included simplifying UQ’s three policies – Student Code of Conduct Policy; Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy, and the Sexual Misconduct Policy, and providing additional mandatory sexual assault and sexual harassment training and support to staff in the front line of UQ’s response.
Professor Terry said UQ had also fully cooperated with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency’s compliance assessment relating to the matters raised in the media.
“The assessment indicated that UQ had met its obligations under the threshold standards,” she said.
“They were satisfied with our framework and support mechanisms in place, and supportive of the initiatives that the university is progressing to ensure improvement,” she said.
