UOW's students' union is inviting students who have survived sexual assault to anonymously report their experiences for a campaign that will bring the university's handling of complaints under the microscope.
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Wollongong Undergraduate Students' Association general secretary Imogen Draisma said she had already collected 31 accounts from students detailing sex assaults as well as incidents of harrassment and other health and safety concerns, allegedly occurring both on and off campus.
The union is collecting responses until June 30 using an online form available at https://forms.gle/aK66mb5ZNy1ZfYWJA. The union will publish the students' accounts in a report to be made public and to be presented to the university for a response.
"It's creating the means for the university to respond in a way that's constructive and legitimate, and provides the capacity and power to students where they feel safe and respected to complain, and feel like their complaints are going to be taken seriously and acted upon," Miss Draisma told the Mercury.
The appeal comes as the union campaigns for a consistent consent education. Currently only residents of student accommodation are required to complete a compulsory module called Consent Matters.
"We want to see that rolled out to all students," Miss Draisma said.