Respectful Relationships Working Group

The Respectful Relationships Working Group (RRWG) will be responsible for providing expertise and advice to the Respectful Relationships Steering Group (RRSG), and ensuring that strategies developed by the RRSG are effectively implemented.  The RRSG will oversee the development of whole of university strategies aimed at both staff and students to address sexism, sexual assault and sexual harassment on campus. A priority for the Steering Group is assisting the ANU implement the recommendations of the Australian Human Rights Commission Report Change the Course.

The RRWG will regularly report back to the RRSG on progress on implementation.

The University is taking a multifaceted approach:

The approach of the University will be the basis of comprehensive strategies on Respectful Relationships. The strategies will be best practice and based in evidence; they will acknowledge the diversity of the ANU community; and they will be inclusive. The RRSG will oversee the production of the strategies that will incorporate the University's vision, its policies and procedures, its communication and training plans, their implementation strategies and its evaluation plans. The production of this comprehensive plan will be the responsibility of the Pro Vice-Chancellor, University Experience (PVC(UE)). The plan will include (but not be restricted to):

Reviewing current policies and procedures: The PVC(UE) has commissioned an external review of policies and procedures to support students, who are making allegations of sexual assault and/or harassment against staff or students and how these intersect with policies and procedures to support staff. This report will be submitted in late September 2017. The PVC(UE) will then develop a proposed plan for new policies and procedures. This plan will be presented to the Steering Group meeting of November 10 2017.

Instilling ANU values: The PVC (UE), Director, Strategic Communications and Public Affairs (SCAPA) and Director, Human Resources (HR) will be responsible for the development of a comprehensive training and communication strategy aimed at fostering culture change. They will provide the first draft of this strategy to the Steering Group for the December 11 2017 meeting of the Group.

Disciplinary action: the Registrars and Director, HR, will be responsible for ensuring that the University takes the appropriate disciplinary action in relation to sexual assault or harassment and for providing to the SG by its meeting on 2 February 2018, a clear pathway derived from the University's policies and procedures, for the handling of complaints and for identifying the full range of sanctions which apply. Our actions are aimed at supporting the complainant and may include a wider range of options than current discipline/penalties.

The role of the Working Group is to:

1.    provide expertise and advice to the RRSG;
2.    ensure that strategies, approaches and plans developed by the RRSG are implemented to achieve the University's vision of a campus free from sexism, sexual assault and harassment; 

3.    advise on impediments or blockages to the implementation of the plan; 
4.    engage closely with the Steering Group through the PVC(UE).

Working Group Membership:

•    PVC(UE) - Richard Baker, Chair
•    Adviser to Staff - Gail Frank
•    ANU Deputy General Counsel - Rachel Vance
•    ANU Privacy Officer - Roxanne Missingham
•    Associate Director - Operations Facilities & Services Division- Joanne Fitzpatrick
•    Dean of Students - Paula Newitt
•    Deputy Dean of Students - Peter Hendricks
•    Dean, HDR - Imelda Whelehan
•    Director, HR - Nadine White
•    Director, SCAPA - Penny Cox
•    General Manager, Colleges of Science - David Akers
•    Head, Counselling Service - Andrew Staniforth
•    President ANUSA nominee - Tess Masters, 2018 ANUSA Vice President
•    President PARSA nominee - Emma Davies, PARSA Women's Officer
•    Registrar, Student Administration - Ariel Edge
•    Registrar, Student Life - Lynda Mathey 
•    Associate Professor, Law - Wayne Morgan

Working Group Meeting Schedule