Both staff and students at the University of Canberra will be interviewed about aspects of university culture, as part of a campus-wide review into sexual assault and harassment.
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The interviews are being held as part of a review led by former sex discrimination commissioner Elizabeth Broderick, set up in the wake of a damning Human Rights Commission survey into sexual assaults on university campuses.
As part of the review process, select students have been interviewed in groups of 20 about experiences on campus and how current policies are perceived by students.
In an email to students seen by The Sunday Canberra Times, the team leading the review said the interviews would form a critical component of the review.
"This review will propose system-wide recommendations for strengthening policies and procedures responding to sexual harassment and sexual assault," the email said.
"Recommendations will also propose processes for periodic monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of the policy reforms."
The interviews carried out for the review would be conducted in groups either by gender or by type of degree.
"The discussion groups will be organised to hear from particular groups in a safe environment, for instance, women only, international students, Indigenous staff, Indigenous students, LGBTIQ and college and university accommodation students residents to name just a few, will be conducted," the email said.
"The review will not be investigating the details of any particular incident, but collecting information and insights on the broad themes that are relevant for informing the response to sexual harassment and sexual assault."
The Human Rights Commission survey, released last year, found 54 per cent of students surveyed at the University of Canberra had been sexually harassed, with 26 per cent experiencing it at university in 2016.
The survey also found that 7.2 per cent of the 460 students surveyed were sexually assaulted in 2015/16, slightly higher than the national average of 6.9 per cent.
However, the number of those surveyed that said they were sexually assaulted on campus at the University of Canberra - 1.1 per cent - was lower than the national average, which was 1.6 per cent.
The review is expected to run until July, when a report will be presented to those in leadership positions at the university.
While the university said it had implemented policies to deal with sexual harassment and assault on campus, the email said the policies would be examined as part of the review.
"A further component of the review includes benchmarking university policies, processes, complaints and disciplinary procedures against national and international practice, including emerging research and findings from major university reviews," the email said.
In a statement, a spokeswoman for the University of Canberra said the review is expected to be completed by the beginning of semester two this year.
"The University of Canberra has a strong culture of tolerance, inclusion and respect, and through training and education, we are promoting social change to prevent inappropriate behaviour in our university," she said.
"We have taken a holistic approach to prevent sexual or interpersonal harassment or violence, implementing a range of programs and activities.
"The university is also delivering the online course 'Consent Matters' to educate students on the culture of respectful relationships."
