August 1, 2025, marks the eighth year of annual protests calling for the elimination of sexual assault and sexual harassment (SASH) on campus, coordinated by the ANU Women’s Department. The date is significant because on the 1st of August 2017, the Australian Human Rights Commission’s Change the Course report revealed that ANU had the highest rate of sexual harassment (1 in 5 students) and the second highest rate of sexual assault among Australian universities.

This year’s protest featured a range of speakers from the Women’s Department and ANUSA, highlighting various issues in relation to SASH on campus. In particular, speakers spoke of the impact of funding cuts on students’ ability to report incidents of SASH, as well as on the wellbeing of staff who handle these reports. 

The campaign saw students braving the rain for a rally on Kambri Lawns before marching to the Chancelry. ANUSA Women’s Officer Jade Poulton said she was “really happy with everyone who turned up… It was a fantastic turnout”

Even after eight years of protesting, the Women’s Department maintains SASH at ANU has not been effectively reduced.

The recently released Nixon Review was a key focus of discussion, as it highlighted the pervasive nature of harassment and sexual abuse within the now-disestablished School of Medicine. Speakers also raised concerns about ongoing problems in residential colleges, pointing to inconsistent standards between private and university-run halls, as well as a lack of communication between them.

In 2019, following the AHRC’s report, ANU launched its Sexual Violence Prevention Strategy (2019-2026) to address the prevalence of SASH on campus. Despite this, the Women’s Department argues this is not enough to “meaningfully” solve the problem. In fact, three years into the Sexual Violence Prevention Strategy, the National Student Safety Report (2021-2022) confirmed that ANU still had the second highest rates of sexual assault in the country.

Dissatisfied with the university’s complacency, the Women’s Department created the Follow Through ANU report in 2022, with six demands for the university to ensure student safety on campus. These included clarifying reporting and support systems, increasing transparency and accountability, and improving staff conditions – with the addition in 2025 of an independent oversight body.

The university claims to have made improvements on campus, with the 2024 Sexual Misconduct Annual Report finding that the university had received 70 disclosures of SASH under the ANU Disclosure form, a reduction from 157 disclosures in 2023.

However, Poulton argues that the reduction in disclosures does not reflect a genuine reduction in instances of SASH on campus, stating “students don’t feel compelled to report anymore” as ANU’s methods of disclosure are “hard and convoluted”.

When asked how it had followed through on its commitment to “trial new, innovative approaches” to reduce SASH, as outlined in the Sexual Violence Prevention Strategy, ANU claimed it was prioritising “bespoke, evidence-informed initiatives over off-the-shelf programs”. However, the Rights, Relationship and Respect consent education program was the only initiative identified.

There is currently a live form for feedback on sexual misconduct reporting at ANU. 

ANUSA Treasurer Hayden O’Brien criticised the ANU’s “lacklustre response” to the report and the Women’s Department’s calls for action, affirming that ANSUA stands with the department in its campaigns against these issues.

Moving forward, the Women’s Department will publish a zine focusing on intersectionality which was a key demand of the report. It will take part in student forums relating to SASH issues like the Student Discipline Framework Review to better advocate for students within these spaces. 

The Women’s Department pledges to continue protesting each year on August 1st until ANU implements their demands.

If you are a student and need support please contact one of the support services below:

ANU Women’s Department: sa.womens@anu.edu.au

Domestic Violence Crisis Service: (02) 6280 0900, 24/7 (ACT).

1800 Respect: 1800 737 732, 24/7 (National).

Canberra Rape Crisis Centre: (02) 6247 2525, 7am-11pm, 7 days a week.

13YARN: 13 92 76, 24/7. Culturally safe support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.

QLife: 1800 184 527, 3pm-midnight. Support and referral for LGBTQIA+ people.

Lifeline: 13 11 14, 24/7.

ANU Student Safety and Wellbeing Team (+ Case Managers)

Email: student.wellbeing@anu.edu.au

Phone: 6125 2211, or visit the 

Health and Wellbeing Centre

Level 3, Building 156 Joplin Lane, Kambri (9-4pm Mon-Fri).