National Student Ombudsman receives 170 complaints, more expected after O Week

The new National Student Ombudsman is bracing for a slew of complaints from this year’s O Week celebration after a shock figure was released.

Picture: D-Keine/iStock

The new National Student Ombudsman is bracing for a slew of complaints from this year’s O Week celebration, as it is revealed they’ve received some 170 complaints in just the first two weeks of operation.

The NSO has admitted to fielding a range of student concerns since its inception on February 1, including insufficient student support, university misconduct and mental health issues.

NSO First Assistant Ombudsman Sarah Bendall said while there had been no sexual assault reports made this month in Queensland, they knew anecdotally from support organisations such as Full Stop that sexual assault and harassment in university contexts increased during O-Week.

“It (The number of complaints) demonstrates the need for a closer look at the student experience at universities across Australia,”

Ms Bendall said it was “concerning” that many students had complained about not getting sufficient support for up to six months.

Queensland Sexual Assault Network (QSAN) Executive Officer Angela Lynch said O-Week “fit the landscape” when it came to increasing the risk factors of when sexual violence could occur.

“...Obviously, if there’s drinking and parties and the use of alcohol, that could increase the vulnerability of women to being assaulted,” she said.

Full Stop CEO Karen Bevan said they had a “really significant focus” during O-Week due to the social environments heavily fuelled by alcohol.

“Even though I think there’s been a lot of work done to try and really increase safety, I think O-Week still is a place where there is a lot of vulnerability.

“People are made vulnerable by things in the environment, and we know that people who use sexual violence will use opportunities like that.”

Ms Bevan said while change didn’t happen “magically overnight through the announcement of a national student ombudsman” they hoped it would increase levels of accountability in universities.

She said young women were one of the most at risk groups of experiencing sexual harm.

Minister for Education Jason Clare said not enough has been done to address sexual violence in our universities.

Griffith University said the university was committed to ensuring the safety of all its students.

“We work closely with our student guild and student representative council to implement strict guidelines for all events across our campuses during Orientation Week.”

“This includes enhanced security measures, restricted access for non-students and pre-registration requirements.”

The University of Queensland Professor Vice-Chancellor Deborah Terry said everyone who attended their campus had the right to feel safe, included and respected.

“There is zero tolerance for disrespectful behaviour including bullying, sexual misconduct, or any other forms of harmful or hurtful behaviour.”

“In relation to sexual misconduct, much of this work has been overseen by a University-wide advisory committee, which I chair.”

“Safeguards implemented include mandatory training for undergraduate students and staff, face-to-face training for student leaders and university staff, a trained First

A QUT spokesperson said campus safety was a priority at all times of the year with campus patrols by experienced security personnel, emergency call points, central monitoring stations, intercampus bus services and night transfers among our general safety measures.

“For special events on campus, additional security measures include engagement with organisers of student and guild-run events, the undertaking of risk assessments for such events, and the monitoring of events by security teams.”

“Welcome Week events hosted by QUT are alcohol free with students expected to abide by the Student Code of Conduct.”