Research & Research Study

Discrimination

Macquarie University is committed to creating and maintaining a learning environment free from all forms of discrimination and harassment. If you are a student and you believe you are being harassed or treated unfairly by a member of the University, whether staff or student, the University has the Discrimination and Harassment Policy and Procedures for Students to assist you. This policy applies if you believe your adverse treatment has something to do with your sex, age, marital status, sexuality, pregnancy, race, nationality, religious group, or disability.

What does a Student Contact do?

A Student Contact will:

• Explore your concerns in a confidential discussion
• Provide support and advice where appropriate
• Supply relevant information
• Refer you to a more suitable person if necessary

In many cases, informal discussion will provide sufficient guidance to enable you to deal with the situation yourself. In other cases, the Student Contact will advise and support you in any action that you have decided is appropriate. If you wish, you may make a formal complaint in writing to the Chair of the Student Grievances Committee. 

If necessary, you will be given assistance to lodge a formal complaint to the Chair, Student Grievances Committee.

The Chair of the Student Grievances Committee will:

• Inform the other person a complaint has been made, and give details;
• Receive a written response from the other person;
• Appoint a suitable person to investigate and report on your complaint;
• Make a confidential report and recommendation to the Vice-Chancellor if the complaint is substantiated; or
• Appoint a suitable person to help you and the other person to resolve differences, confidentially and speedily, through mediation or conciliation, in a way which is satisfactory to all concerned.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is unwelcome, unsolicited and unwanted sexual behaviour that offends, humiliates, embarrasses, intimidates or otherwise causes distress. Sexual harassment is illegal under State and Commonwealth anti-discrimination legislation.

The types of behaviour that could be sexual harassment include:

• staring, leering or gesturing in a sexual way
• sexual or smutty jokes or innuendo
• sexual propositions, continually inviting a person to go out, phoning, or asking for sexual favours
• sexual or physical contact including touching, brushing, patting, slapping, kissing or pinching
• sexual comments, insults or teasing
• intrusive questions about a person’s private life including marital status, sexual activity, sexual preference, morality or physical appearance
• sexually explicit or offensive material that is displayed in a public place or placed in a persons work area or personal belongings
• sexual activity against a person's will, and sexual assault

What should I do if I have been sexually harassed?

Most people are reluctant to take any action when they have been sexually harassed because they fear the consequences of complaining. This is understandable, but experience has shown that harassing behaviour doesn’t stop if you ignore it. You have the right and a responsibility to tell the person who harasses you that you find their behaviour offensive. This should be sufficient to prevent further harassment.

If this does not work, or you do not feel able to speak to the harasser alone, you may ask for the assistance of a Contact Officer. If you agree the Contact Officer can arrange a confidential and informal meeting with you and the person concerned. The aim will be to stop the offensive behaviour and to enable you and the other person to resume a productive working relationship.
If a satisfactory resolution cannot be achieved, or the offensive behaviour continues, you should report the matter to the Contact Officer or to the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer for further management.

Deans of Divisions/Offices

Deans of Divisions and Offices are responsible for ensuring fair practices in the workplace and ensuring it is free from any form of harassment. This includes a responsibility to assist staff in dealing with sexual harassment matters. You may choose to discuss the matter confidentially with your Dean of Division or Office Manager and ask for their assistance or advice.

The Equal Opportunity Officer

In cases of perceived discrimination or harassment, the Equal Employment Opportunity Officer will be able to help you and will advise you about your rights under the University policy and the Anti-Discrimination laws.

External Organisations

If you prefer, at any stage it is your right to obtain advice from any appropriate external organisation such as your union or the NSW Anti-Discrimination Board, or the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.