The Australian Institute of Higher Education is committed to preventing incidents of sexual assault and sexual harassment, and providing access to support.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment, you will find a range of useful information on this page about confidential counselling, medical support, reporting, complaint options, and external services.
Police and ambulance services (immediate safety and medical concerns) – 000
1800 RESPECT (sexual assault counselling and information) – 1800 737 732
Below you will find a list of services off campus which can offer you support, counselling and information.
| 1800 Respect | 1800 424 017 | Counselling is available 24/7, whether you're seeking help for yourself, a friend or relative, a colleague or a client. Professionals are also encouraged to use 1800RESPECT for support with secondary referrals or vicarious trauma. |
| NSW Rape Crisis | 1800 211 028 | 24/7 telephone and online crisis counselling service for anyone in NSW - men and women - who has experienced or is at risk of sexual assault and their non-offending supporters. |
| Sexual Assault Counselling Australia | 1800 211 028 | A national counselling service for anyone who is involved in or considering participating in the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Sexual Assault Counselling Australia also provides counselling for people who want to address their trauma as a result of hearing about the Royal Commission, and anyone who is supporting someone who is participating in the Royal Commission. |
| Lifeline | 131 114 | Online, phone and face-to-face crisis support and suicide prevention services. |
| Beyond Blue | 1300 224 636 | Provides information and support to help everyone in Australia experiencing anxiety, depression and suicidal thoughts. |
| Sydney Women's Counselling Centre | 9718 1955 | Specialist counselling service supporting women affected by trauma. |
| MensLine (24/7) | 1300 789 978 | A professional telephone and online support and information service for Australian men. |
| Survivors and Mates Support Network | 1800 472 676 | A not-for-profit organisation working to increase public awareness of the effects that childhood sexual abuse can have on men in their adult lives. |
| Qlife LGBTIQ Counselling | 1800 184 527 | Australia’s first nationally-oriented counselling and referral service for people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and/or queer (LGBTIQ). Online and phone counselling available. |
| Twenty10 | 8594 9555 | Sydney based service providing a broad range of specialised services for young people 12-25 including housing, mental health, counselling and social support, who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and gender diverse, non-binary, intersex, questioning, queer, asexual and more (LGBTIQA+) |
| Useful Contact Numbers | |
|---|---|
| If there is an emergency and you require an ambulance | 000 |
| 13SICK home doctor service | 137 425 |
| Health Direct 24 hour helpline | 1800 022 222 |
Below you will find information which will support you to make the best decision for yourself, or the person you are supporting. For Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault Policy and Procedure at AIH, please visit Policies and Procedures.
Sexual assault is any sexual or sexualised act that has not been consented to, agreed upon, invited, or chosen. It is a betrayal of trust and a denial of each person’s right to determine what happens to their body. Sexual assault can be committed against people regardless of their gender, age, sexual orientation, ability, and background. Sexual assault is sometimes referred to as rape, sexual abuse or sexual violence.
Sexual harassment is any unwelcome behaviour of a sexual nature that makes a person feel offended, humiliated or intimidated. It is not sexual interaction, flirtation or friendship which is mutual or consensual. Sexual harassment might include:
Consent is when a person freely and voluntarily agree to sexual activity. Sexual assault occurs when someone is unable to and/or does not give consent. Consent is not always verbal but must be given before people engage in any sexual activity. The legal age of consent in NSW is 16 years old, regardless of gender.
The law says that a person may be unable to give consent when:
The law requires the alleged perpetrator to demonstrate what steps they took to ensure consent was given.
If you have experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment, you are encouraged to report it so that you can get the support and information you need.
You can report the sexual assault to a specialist sexual assault service like 1800 RESPECT who can guide you through the options available to you.
You can report sexual assault to the police, who will ask you about the incident and discuss the possibility of a criminal investigation.  You have the option of contacting your nearest Police Station, or you can complete a Sexual Assault Reporting Options (SARO) questionnaire.
You can contact AIH’s Student Well-being Officer who can help direct you further to the appropriate services, Mrs Alison McPhee (a.mcphee@aih.nsw.edu.au).