UNE is undertaking a project to review and improve our approach to preventing and responding to Gender Based Violence (GBV) for all our staff and students.

The University will develop an institutional wide GBV Prevention and Response Plan, outlining our commitment to activities that prioritise the safety of our community.

This institutional wide Plan is part of our response to the introduction of the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence.

You are invited to attend a consultation session on the Plan. Engagement with staff and students to understand and reflect their needs, experiences, and perspectives is a vital part of this work.

What we’re asking for your input on:

We’ve developed a draft plan and genuinely want to hear from you:

  1. Draft Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response Plan – Our roadmap for creating cultural change and prioritising safety across our entire institution

What this invitation means: 

  • Your participation is entirely voluntary – there is absolutely no obligation or expectation
  • You have full control over how much or how little you share
  • You can participate anonymously if you prefer
  • You can change your mind at any time, including during a session

UNE’s draft Plan can be viewed here (UNE login required).

What is the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence?

 The Code requires Australian universities to revise their approaches to gender-based violence in line with new national guidelines. 

Read more about the Code. https://www.education.gov.au/highereducationGBVcode

Introducing a National Code was one of seven key actions of the Action Plan Addressing Gender-based Violence in Higher Education.

It will become compulsory for all universities to report on their actions and their progress from 2026.

Consultation Details

 We invite you to attend one of our consultation sessions, available both online and in-person (Armidale):

Online

  • Tuesday, 25 November – 10am via Teams
  • Wednesday,  26  November – 10am via Teams

In person

  • Tuesday, 2 December – 11:30 – Letters room Dixson Library

Or written feedback can be submitted via email to safecommunities@une.edu.au by Close of Business (COB) Friday, 28th November

Supports available

If this information has raised ant concerns for you, please refer to the services on the UNE Safe Communities Website.