The University of Wollongong has backed down from plans to dismantle its crucial sexual assault support service following a vigorous student-led campaign, though concerns persist about staffing cuts that could impact the vital resource.
Student Victory Amid Ongoing Concerns
In a significant win for campus safety advocates, UOW has announced it will retain the Safe and Respectful Communities (SARC) service under a revised proposal revealed on Wednesday. The decision comes after widespread alarm that the university's original restructuring plan would jeopardise what students described as a life-saving resource for survivors of sexual violence.
The Wollongong Undergraduate Student Association, which spearheaded the protest movement, expressed cautious optimism about the outcome. WUSA women's officer Alexia Chipperfield acknowledged the university's responsiveness while highlighting remaining staffing issues.
We are encouraged to hear that the university has responded to our campaign, Ms Chipperfield stated. However, we have received word that there will still be the loss of about two staff from what we've heard, and we think that that is still not OK.
National Crisis Demands Stronger Services
The preservation debate occurs against a disturbing national backdrop where violence against women has reached epidemic proportions in Australia. Recent data shows sexual assault reports are climbing across New South Wales, making campus support services more critical than ever.
Ms Chipperfield emphasised that the current climate demands expansion rather than contraction of sexual assault resources. We believe that SARC should be even more well supported as we are living in a national and international gendered violence crisis, she asserted.
The student leader warned that reduced staffing could overwhelm remaining team members. The workload will be unmanageable between the staff that are still remaining, she cautioned, urging the university to ensure adequate resources for current caseloads and future growth.
Revised Service Structure
Under the modified proposal, UOW has committed to several key improvements:
- Maintaining the Safe and Respectful Communities name and campus location
- Establishing a single-entry point for complaints and disclosures
- Implementing clearer role separation between support and investigation functions
- Retaining specialist teams with enhanced leadership capabilities
- Strengthening governance and reporting systems
Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Mark Hoffman credited extensive consultation with shaping the revised approach. The revised proposal has been shaped by extensive feedback from students, staff, union representatives and external stakeholders, Professor Hoffman said.
The university maintains that the restructuring responds to new national requirements rather than cost-cutting motives. The changes align with the recently implemented National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence, along with modern slavery obligations and workplace safety laws.
Despite these assurances, the SARC revisions form part of broader professional services changes expected to eliminate approximately 100 positions across the university. Professor Hoffman has encouraged continued feedback as consultation progresses, indicating the structure may continue to evolve.
