Chisholm Institute is committed to fostering a safe and healthy environment for all students, staff, and guests to its Campuses. Chisholm has zero tolerance of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and rape.

Harassment of a sexual nature may occur when a person makes an unwelcome sexual advance, an unwelcome request for sexual favours, or engages in any unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature in relation to another person. Sexual harassment can be physical, verbal or written.

Examples may include, but are not limited to:

  • Sexually suggestive comments or jokes
  • Unwanted touching, hugging, or fondling
  • Comments about a person’s appearance
  • Repeated unwanted requests to go out or requests for sex
  • Sexually suggestive behaviour such as staring or leering

There are specific harassment conditions for educational institutions in the Sex Discrimination Act 1984, Section 28F.

Consent

Consent is defined as “permission for something to happen or agreement to do something”.

Learn more about what consent means.

The age of sexual consent in Victoria is 16, however this varies when there is a relationship of authority between the two parties, such as between someone in a teaching or student service role, where the age of consent then becomes 18.

Resources, reporting and support

No matter where you are, if you believe there is an immediate risk to yourself or another person, or you need immediate support off-campus, please call 000.

If you have experienced sexual harm on-campus

Call Campus Security

If something has occurred on campus and you need support, please contact Chisholm Security Services by calling 1300 244 746 (option 4)
Email: counselling@chisholm.edu.au

Make a formal or “information only” report to Victoria Police (optional)

You don’t have to make a formal report if you don’t want to. When making a formal or informal report, you will receive confidential advice on possible next steps to take and be referred on to relevant support services with your consent. You can tell the police about what has happened and discuss your options, even if you do not intend to make a formal report.

It is never too late to report a sexual assault to the police. You will always be encouraged and supported to report sexual harm no matter when it occurred, but the sooner you report, the easier it will be for police to investigate.

If you would like to report a sexual assault to Victoria Police, you can:

  • Call Triple Zero (000)
  • Call or visit a police station
  • Call a local Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team (SOCITs) – find your local SOCIT here.

If you have experienced sexual harm off-campus

Call for help

If you or another person are at risk of immediate harm, contact emergency services on 000. Your safety is always the priority.

If you are distressed and need support, you can call the Sexual Assault Crisis Line on 1800 806 292

If you need immediate support the Sexual Assault Crisis Line on 1800 RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service, and can provide you with support and links to other services that may help you.

Make a formal or “information only” report to Victoria Police (optional)

You don’t have to make a formal report if you don’t want to. When making a formal or informal report, you will receive confidential advice on possible next steps to take and be referred on to relevant support services with your consent. You can tell the police about what has happened and discuss your options, even if you do not intend to make a formal report.

It is never too late to report a sexual assault to the police. You will always be encouraged and supported to report sexual harm no matter when it occurred, but the sooner you report, the easier it will be for police to investigate.

If you would like to report a sexual assault to Victoria Police, you can:

  • Call Triple Zero (000)
  • Call or visit a police station
  • Call a local Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team (SOCITs) – find your local SOCIT here.

You can contact the Student Support & Engagement team for further guidance and support by calling 1300 244 746 (option 4), from Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm.

Related policies and procedures at Chisholm

QMS117 Student Code of Conduct
QMS301 Privacy