Engaging in safe online discussions about the Voice to Parliament

In addition, social media can help ensure the voices of First Nations peoples are heard on matters that affect them, and are important ways for them to source and share information and to connect with others.

However, behaviour in social media can at times be confronting and aggressive, particularly on issues that are contentious or divisive in the community, so care should be taken to protect yourself and others.

What can I, and others, say and share on social media?

All social media channels have terms and conditions, including rules on acceptable behaviour, and you are encouraged to read them before setting up your account or posting.

There are three UTS policies that are relevant to use of social media:

• the Academic Freedom and Freedom of Speech Policy, describes how UTS staff, students, affiliates and visitors enjoy freedom of expression and have the right to participate in public debates and express opinions, including unpopular or controversial opinions about issues and ideas. Racism, and other illegal behaviour, is not protected by academic freedom or freedom of speech
• the Code of Conduct requires all staff and affiliates to behave with the highest standards of professionalism and conduct at all times
• the Equity, Inclusion and Respect Policy outlines the social, ethical and behavioural standards expected at UTS as part of our core values, including relating to discrimination, bullying and harassment.

What can I do to better protect myself and others against bad behaviour in social media?

1. Think before you share

Once something is posted online, it's there for everyone to see. You can lose control of it. Sharing harmful things can upset some people. Take a breath and think before you post, or respond to, something that is likely to inflame a conversation. If you’re unsure, talk to someone you trust about other ways to share your message instead of using social media.

2. Be an active bystander if you witness online hate or abuse

People being racially abused in social media can feel like the whole world is against them. Being an active bystander in the face of racist attacks can be a powerful statement of support for the person targeted. When bystanders stay silent, it sends the message that racism is acceptable.

When responding, always assess the situation to make sure you are not putting yourself, or others, at risk. Sometimes your best course of action might simply be to reach out to the person being targeted to check that they are okay.

For ways to respond to racism, read Racism. It stops with me and Reconciliation Australia’s How to be an Indigenous Ally.

3. Manage your accounts and settings

Consider taking positive, proactive steps such as blocking or deleting harmful people or accounts, reaching out to friends, families, schools or police, and changing privacy settings.

How to report when something goes wrong in social media

Anyone who experiences racial discrimination can make a complaint to the Australian Human Rights Commission. You can phone the Commission for advice on 1300 656 419 04 or (02) 9284 9600.

If you are facing online abuse or harassment, you can also access resources and report incidences of online harm via the eSafety Commissioner. However, the eSafety Commissioner recommends you first report it to the platform where it appeared.

An alternative avenue is the Call It Out Register, Australia’s first Indigenous-led racism register for First Nations peoples. It provides an independent, Indigenous-led pathway separeate to traditional and sometimes complaints and legal processes for reporting experiences of racism.

The individual reports are collected and analysed by the Jumbunna Research to inform an annual report which will help raise awareness and drive systematic change.

Where can I go for help?

There are several avenues of support available at UTS. You are welcome to seek assistance from one or several of the below options. If you have felt culturally unsafe, discriminated against, bullied or harassed – either at UTS or in the community – or have witnessed an incident that has impacted you, please reach out for support.

• Contact Security if in immediate danger – dial 6 from any UTS phone or call 1800 249 559.
• Free counselling support is available for students at UTS.
• The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers a free, confidential counselling and wellbeing service for staff. The EAP provider TELUS Health can be contacted on 1300 361 008.
• Equity-related complaints, including incidences of racism, can be raised with the UTS Centre for Social Justice & Inclusion by emailing  or calling 9514 1084.equity@uts.edu.au
• The Health, Safety and Wellbeing (HSW) team within the People Unit can guide staff through the process of accessing support or reporting an incident. Contact them at .safetyandwellbeing@uts.edu.au
• Report any health, safety or wellbeing incident on UTS’s Safety Hazard Incident Reporting Online tool (HIRO) – there is also an option to report this confidentially, these reports are only seen by the HSW team.
• UTS also formally recognises the cultural and emotional load borne by First Nations staff, and additional personal leave days are available as part of the Enterprise Agreements.
   

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With thanks and acknowledgement to

The eSafety Commissioner has released a new string of resources aimed at helping First Nations communities navigate the risk of negative online experiences. Available on their website, the resources include new video and audio content in multiple Indigenous languages designed to help First Nations people of all ages avoid potential dangers such as cyberbullying, abuse and harmful content.

The Australian Human Rights Commission’s Racism. It stops with me campaign website provides useful tools and guidance in relation to responding to racism.