Former ANU student leaders and activist alumni demand university management “take meaningful and urgent action to end sexual harassment and assault”

Their call follows the second National Student Safety survey, released in March (CMM March 24).

Alyssa Shaw, an ANU double graduate and former council member, and colleagues tell the university, the survey results, “left many of us feeling disturbed and distressed.”

“It is clear that insufficient progress has been towards ending sexual harassment and sexual assault at the ANU.”

In a message to the university community las month, VC Brian Schmidt acknowledged “higher per centage(s) of ANU students than the national average were sexually assaulted or harassed in the last year,” which he said is “unacceptable”  “Every member of our community deserves to feel safe and respected,” he said in announcing a new “student safety and wellbeing plan” based on “best-practice advice and evidence” from experts and “buy-in from student leaders.”

However while the alumni statement acknowledges “ANU has taken some important steps” it adds the new plans are not enough. They call for “a comprehensive update” on how the university is acting to end sexual harassment and sexual assault.