Respect at AU

Report inappropriate behaviour

Tell us what happened. You can get support whether or not you make a report.

Tell us what happened, in confidence

You can tell us if you or someone you know in the University community has experienced:

gender-based violence
sexual harm, including sexual harassment or sexual assault
discrimination, racism or harassment
fraud or corruption.

Get support

If what happened caused you distress, you can get free, confidential University counselling. Specialist gender-based violence counsellors can help you understand your options. You can also contact an independent crisis service. You don't have to decide whether to report today.

Access counselling View crisis services

Is your concern something else?

If it's about a mark, a service or an administrative decision rather than someone's behaviour, use the complaints and appeals process.

Make a complaint or appeal

Report an incident or concern

Report online at any time to the Safer Community Unit. You'll be asked what happened, when and who was involved – leave out anything you don't want to share. You can report anonymously, but this may limit what we can do in response. Opening the form logs you out of your University account, so your identity stays private.

Report online

Not sure yet?

Talk to the Safer Community Unit (formerly the Integrity Unit). A team member can meet you in person, online or by phone to guide you through the process before you decide anything. You don't need to have all the answers before reaching out.

Email us Call us

What happens after you report

You submit a report

Online, by email or by phone – whichever you prefer. You choose how much to tell us.

We contact you within two business days

A member of the Safer Community Unit gets in touch. If you report anonymously, keep the report key and case number shown after you submit, so you can log back in for updates.

We talk through your options

These include support, safety planning, referrals and what a University process would involve.

If someone tells you what happened

Listen, believe, support, refer – four steps for responding to someone who's experienced gender-based violence, and what to say.

Read the steps

What are inappropriate behaviours?

You can report any instance of gender-based violence or sexual harm. Understanding gender-based violence explains what each of these looks like.

We know these reports can be very hard to make. Our team is trained to respond in a person-centred, trauma-informed way, and we'll talk you through your options.

What you tell us is confidential. If the law requires us to share your information, we'll tell you. If it needs to go to the University so your report can be actioned, we'll discuss that with you first.

If you see or experience discrimination, harassment, racism or other inappropriate behaviour, report it to the Safer Community Unit.

Racism is treating people unfairly because of their race. It's shaped by systems, policies, actions and attitudes that create unequal opportunities and outcomes. It's more than personal prejudice or bias – it happens when those beliefs are backed by individual or institutional power, allowing people to discriminate against, exclude or limit the rights of others.
Discrimination is being treated less favourably than others because of a particular characteristic or because you belong to a particular group. It can be based on your age, political belief or activity, parental or carer status, physical features, disability, race, gender identity, religious belief or activity, industrial activity, sex or sexuality, marital status, pregnancy or breastfeeding, or spousal identity. Forms of discrimination include ableism, antisemitism, homophobia, Islamophobia and transphobia.
Foreign interference can include harassment, intimidation, bullying or doxing (sharing someone's private information online without permission) if it's likely being done by, or for, a foreign government or someone acting for one.

Discrimination and harassment can happen to anyone. Adelaide University supports freedom of speech, but harassment, discrimination and racism are unacceptable and may be considered misconduct.

Report any of these if you experience or see them:

Fraud is dishonestly getting a benefit for yourself or someone else, or dishonestly causing harm to the University.
Corruption is misusing a University position for private advantage – bribery, nepotism, extortion or dishonesty – or helping to hide it.
Maladministration is the unauthorised use of public money, or serious mismanagement of public resources.
Bribery is offering or accepting money, or anything else of value, to influence how someone does their job.

Anyone in the University community can help prevent fraud and corruption by speaking up.

Common questions

Yes. You don't have to give your name to make a report.

But this means we can't contact you for more detail, so there may be less the University can do in response.

Anonymous reports still help. They show us where risks are and which patterns of behaviour need addressing, and they help shape our training.

When you submit, you'll be shown a report key and case number. Note them down – they let you log back in to get updates or send us more information later.

We're trained to respond to inappropriate behaviour in a person-centred, trauma-informed way. We'll explain your options and make sure you're supported throughout any process.

We can carry out risk assessments, help with safety planning and refer you to support. If the matter involves a member of the University community, we may run an investigation or disciplinary process.

No – reporting an incident won't affect your student visa. You can discuss any concerns in confidence with:

an international student adviser at International Student Support
University counsellors at Student wellbeing and safety
the Safer Community Unit.

Reporting outside Adelaide University

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000) for police, fire or ambulance.

You can report to an external body instead of, or as well as, Adelaide University. If you report to police, we encourage you to tell us too, so we can support you.

South Australia Police (SAPOL)

Behaviour that may be criminal.

Report to SAPOL

Australian Human Rights Commission

Sex discrimination, sexual harassment and other forms of discrimination, anywhere in Australia.

Read about your rights Make a complaint

Equal Opportunity SA

Discrimination, sexual harassment and victimisation complaints.

Make a complaint

Need support?

You can get support at the University or from independent services, whether or not you report. Talk to someone confidentially before you decide what to do next.

Find support

Report inappropriate behaviour