National Student Safety Survey

Your voice matters.

The National Student Safety Survey gives eligible students an opportunity to share their experiences and perspectives on sexual violence and harm.

2026 National Student Safety Survey

You do not need to have experienced sexual violence or harm to take part in the 2026 National Student Safety Survey. The survey is for all eligible students, and every student’s perspective matters.

It is being conducted across Australian universities by independent research organisation Roy Morgan on behalf of Universities Australia.

If you receive an invitation, we encourage you to consider taking part. Invitations will arrive in late August or early September 2026.

Participation is voluntary and confidential. Individual responses will not be shared with the University, and you can stop the survey at any time.

Support is available before, during and after participation.

Students can also access 24/7 free and confidential support from trained counsellors by calling the National Student Safety Survey Counselling Line on 1800 572 224. The Counselling Line is provided by Full Stop Australia, an independent organisation.

Learn more and read the FAQs

Get support

Victoria University is here to support you. Reach out to our free and confidential counselling services, any time.

We actively encourage anyone who has experienced sexual harassment or sexual assault during their time at VU to disclose their experiences and receive support.

: Safer community provides advice, assistance and support to VU staff and students. If you or someone you know is affected by something concerning while at VU, contact Safer Community:
Webpage: Safer Community
Email: safer.community@vu.edu.au
Phone: +61 3 9919 5707
Report online to Safer Community.
App: Download the VU Safe App
: WestCASA is a community-based sexual assault counselling service operating in the western metropolitan region of Melbourne.
Phone: +61 3 9216 0444
Webpage: www.westcasa.org.au
VU students and staff can also access dedicated, 24/7 support by calling +61 3 9216 0411. Read our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
: Counselling is also available to students. If you have experienced violence or harassment, or the survey report has brought up past experiences, we have counsellors available to help.
Webpage: Make an appointment or contact counselling
Phone: +61 3 9919 5400
: Training for students
All VU students can access free, online training in the areas of Consent and Respectful Relationships and Bystander Awareness and Action. This award-winning training was co-designed with VU students and is mandatory for student leaders. The online modules are available on Learning Hub (login required).
Training for staff
We know that our students may reach out to staff as a first line of contact; familiarise yourself with the support services available for staff and students.
All staff are encouraged to complete these online modules:
Sexual harassment and sexual assault – how can staff respond?.
Bystander Awareness and Action.
Resources
Our key prevention actions
: inTouch : Provides services and support to migrants and refugees.
Call 1800 755 988
Q Life : Provides peer support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) people and their friends, families and allies.
Call 1800 184 527 | Webchat: www.qlife.org.au(external link)
Djirra : Provides culturally safe and accessible services to Aboriginal people seeking support.
Call 1800 105 303
1800RESPECT : A national sexual assault, domestic family violence counselling service.
Call 1800 737 732 | Webchat: www.1800respect.org.au

Results from 2021 survey

The results from the 2021 National Student Safety Survey were released on 23 March 2022.

893 students from Victoria University joined over 40,000 others from universities across Australia to participate in this voluntary survey.

Victoria University’s work to address and respond to sexual violence is shaped by students’ voices, experiences and needs. The 2021 survey provided valuable insights that helped guide our work, and we welcome the findings from this year’s survey as we continue to improve our approach.

We care & we act

Sexual harassment and sexual assault have no place at our university.

Everyone has the right and the expectation that they will be safe wherever they study, live, work and socialise.

The survey results are part of a growing body of evidence in Australia which shows that sexual harassment and sexual assault are pervasive in all corners of our society. As a nation, this cannot be tolerated and, as a university, we must be part of the solution.

Victoria University will continue to promote gender equality, build a culture of respect, and support all members of our diverse community.

Statement from Professor Adam Shoemaker, Vice-Chancellor of Victoria University:

Both sexual harassment and sexual assault are reprehensible and absolutely unacceptable. Along with my colleagues across the sector, I am disappointed, saddened and angered that we continue to see this behaviour both on our campuses and in our society more broadly. As a public-purpose institution, Victoria University has a responsibility to provide a safe learning experience for all students – and more work clearly needs to be done.

Building respectful futures together

The report from the first national survey on sexual harassment and sexual assault in universities, Change the Course, was released in 2017. Since then, Victoria University, in partnership with students, has resourced and developed a whole-of-institution approach to preventing and responding to gender-based violence.