Adelaide University apologises over sex harassment, urges culture change

Adelaide University Vice-Chancellor Peter Hoj has issued a public apology for sexual harassment and assault at the institution, and will implement sweeping reforms.

Sex assault and harassment took place at Adelaide University in a culture which was completely unacceptable, Vice-Chancellor Peter Hoj says.

Apologising to victims, Prof Hoj said the university would make 22 changes recommended by a review which followed an Independent Commissioner Against Corruption report into misconduct by former uni boss Peter Rathjen.

“Sexual assault, sexual harassment and other inappropriate behaviour are found across our society – and Australia’s higher education sector is no different,” Prof Hoj said.

“This behaviour is not acceptable in our society, and there is no place for it here at the University of Adelaide.

“The only acceptable number of cases is zero.”

ICAC made a public statement last August about its investigations into Mr Rathjen’s behaviour, finding he committed serious misconduct in groping female staff and lied to the uni and ICAC.

The statement was published shortly after Mr Rathjen resigned, citing ill health.

University of Adelaide Vice-Chancellor Peter Hoj and Professor Katrina Falkner are looking to make changes to the establishment’s culture. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

Former Adelaide University Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Rathjen. Picture: Supplied

ICAC made eight recommendations to the uni, which appointed consultants KPMG to assist it respond in depth.

KPMG engaged with 664 people – including 351 staff, 289 students and 10 alumni – independently of the uni administration.

KPMG found “underlying problems with the university’s culture, with some students and staff saying they did not feel safe to report sexual assault, sexual harassment and other inappropriate behaviour”, Prof Hoj said on Thursday.

The consultants found those who had made reports were left unhappy, distressed and traumatised by the process.

“As Vice-Chancellor, I want to take this opportunity to apologise to victims of sexual assault, sexual harassment, or other inappropriate behaviour occurring at the University of Adelaide,” Prof Hoj said.

“These issues need to be addressed. We will and must do better.”

The uni would “not run away” from its own responsibility but hoped its experiences could help inform improvements in other organisations, he said.

“We want to be part of a societal response to eliminating sexual misconduct,” Prof Hoj said.

The university will establish an integrity unit, one of the 22 KPMG recommendations, which also include:

■ Developing leadership capabilities to lead change;

■ Introducing recurring ethics and integrity training for all staff;

■ Reviewing the university’s human resources function and capabilities; and

■ Streamlining and updating the university’s policy framework for sexual assault, sexual harassment and misconduct.

Executive dean of engineering, computer and maths sciences Professor Katrina Falkner will lead implementation of the reforms.

“The new integrity unit will provide victims with a single, continuous point of contact, working with them to ensure a victim-centric approach, providing tailored support options, and keeping them updated on the progress of any investigation,” Prof Falkner said.

This would help build the trust and instil confidence that reports would be heard and respected, she said.

An investigation by The Advertiser and 7NEWS last month found sexual harassment was a major problem at all three major universities in SA.

While many of those incidents were off campus, Prof Hoj said the uni reforms would have an impact by instilling respectful values in students.

“Then what happens outside the university will also be improved and reduce misconduct in their lives more broadly,” he said.

Prof Falkner said clarity was key to reform.

“The more we talk about this, the more support we provide, and the more visible response we have, the clearer signal we send that there is no space for sexual assault or sexual harassment on campus or in our society,” Prof Falkner said.

A separate ICAC survey found widespread bullying and workplace harassment at the unis.

Prof Hoj said the full response to that ICAC report would be delivered later.