Responding to and supporting someone who has experienced sexual harm can be complex, but chances are the person has come to you because they trust you.
How to respond to a disclosure of sexual harm
What should you do?
MAKE A REPORT
Students: Lodge an online report of sexual harm
More reporting options
including for staff
UTS SEXUAL HARM SUPPORT LINE
9am to 5pm
Monday to Friday
(UTS Security will connect you with support out of these hours)
Attend to their immediate safety
- If someone is in immediate danger, or needs urgent medical attention, call the emergency services on 000.
- UTS Security and Emergency Management can also be contacted for immediate support on campus on 1800 249 559 (24 hours).
- If there is no immediate danger, encourage the person to seek medical care, if appropriate.
- Confirm that the person has somewhere safe to go to.
Listen to them
- Respond with compassion. If someone discloses an incident of sexual harm to you, listen. Let them express how they feel without interruption. Each person will react differently in this situation.
- Validate the person’s experience by acknowledging their distress. Respect the words and language they use in relation to the incident.
- When you feel it is appropriate to do so, check if they wish to make a report, and support them if they do. Also let them know that you may be legally required to report the matter to the police.
- Encourage the person to seek support and allow them to make their own decisions.
Help them find support
Give them the option to make a report
The person disclosing an incident may want to make a report immediately. Alternatively, they may wish to make a report after seeking further support. Support them in whichever decision they make.
What to do if you have experienced sexual harm
UTS staff who receive a report
UTS staff who receive a disclosure or report of sexual harm related to a student (survivor, alleged perpetrator, witness) must complete a summary form.
Summary form for staff receiving a report of sexual harm
What do I do if I think a crime has been disclosed?
If you think a crime has been committed you should encourage the person to consider reporting it to the police. UTS cannot investigate a crime.
In some circumstances, UTS will be legally obliged to report to the police, including passing on details of the crime, or suspected crime, including details that identify the person who is alleged to have committed the crime or suspected crime.
What to expect when you report to UTS
Support for you
Help and support is available if you experience distress as a result of what you have been told by someone who has experienced sexual harm.
Further guidance on managing and investigating sexual harm is also available.
Sexual Harm Prevention and Response Policy
Staff guidelines for managing reports of sexual harm (Staff Connect)
