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Sexual misconduct

What is sexual misconduct?

Sexual misconduct is any sexual act or behaviour that a person does not consent to. It can take many forms, including sexual assault (rape), unwanted oral sex, and kissing or touching a person’s body in a sexual manner, without their consent. It can also include an unwanted sexual act towards another person, or making a person perform a sexual act that they don’t want to do. You can find more information on sexual misconduct in the University’s Student Sexual Misconduct Policy.

Sexual misconduct can happen to people of all ages, genders and sexualities, within or outside a relationship. Sexual misconduct is an abuse of power, and is never the fault of the person who experienced it.

You can find more information on sexual assault and and sexual violence by chatting to the University's Safer Communities Office or at 1800 RESPECT.

Sexual harassment

Sexual harassment is any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature which a reasonable person would expect would make the recipient feel offended, humiliated or intimidated. Sexual harassment can be verbal, non-verbal, written, graphic or physical. Sexual harassment can also be sexual misconduct.

You can find detailed information on what is considered sexual harassment in the Student Sexual Misconduct Policy.

Sexual harassment can include:

  • sexually suggestive comments or jokes
  • unwelcome touching, hugging or kissing
  • making or distributing a sexually explicit audio recording or photo-shopped image of another person
  • displaying, sending or requesting sexually explicit pictures or posters
  • repeated or inappropriate invitations to go out or hook up
  • intrusive questions about a person’s private life or physical appearance.

Sexual harassment can also occur through email, text, messaging, social media posts and other forms of electronic communication. For more information see the eSafety Commissioner website.

For advice or more information about sexual harassment you can contact the University's Safer Communities Office or the Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW.

Last updated: 26 September 2024

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