UNSW Gendered Violence Portal

The GV portal allows you to report incidents of gendered violence, even as a witness or bystander. Reporting helps UNSW understand campus culture and take appropriate action such as raising awareness or delivering education initiatives. 

If you choose to report anonymously and don’t request any action, your disclosure will be treated as a report. Your input helps the university to work towards creating a safer and more inclusive place for everyone.

Get support

By reaching out to the GV Portal, you’ll be connected with the Gendered Violence Response Team a specialist team of mental health clinicians.  

We’re here to listen and support you through your experience and options. There are multiple ways we can support you and help keep you safe, including: 

• Internal counselling with specialists in gendered violence support. 
• Referrals to external services. 
• Guidance through UNSW’s complaints process.
• Academic adjustments to support your studies. 
• Safety planning for courses and campus. 
• Personal safety plans.
• Information about police and criminal justice processes.
• Advocacy and limited crisis accommodation support.
• Connection to criminology specialist. 

Other supports will be offered based on individual needs.  

UNSW Complaints Management and Investigations Policy and Procedure , opens in a new window

If you want to make a complaint about gendered violence, we will follow the UNSW Complaints Policy (link). 

The process begins by assessing if your complaint fits within relevant UNSW policies. The Gendered Violence Response team or Conduct and Integrity Office will inform you of your options and next steps. 

You also have the option to make a complaint to external organisations like:

• NSW Police , opens in a new window
• eSafety Commission, opens in a new window 
• NSW Ombudsman, opens in a new window  
• National Student Ombudsman , opens in a new window

UNSW can continue to support you throughout the process if you choose. 

If you’re a staff member who has experienced gendered violence, there are several ways you can get support. You can reach out through the GV Portal, opens in a new window, make a report on Salus psychosocial module, or contact your manager or the Human Resources (HR) Business Partner for your area.

If you are experiencing family or relationship violence, you may be eligible for extra paid leave so that you can seek legal advice, moving or attending court. For more information, visit the HR Hub, opens in a new window or reach out to the relevant HR team.

In addition to UNSW services, you also have access to Employee Assistance Program (EAP), opens in a new window support, as well as a range of external services listed on our support page.

Supporting someone experiencing gendered violence 

If you’re supporting a student, you can guide them to this GV Portal page, the First Responder page, the Report gendered violence, opens in a new window email address for support or direct them to external services listed below. 

As a UNSW staff member, if you learn about gendered violence that occurs during UNSW activities or on campus, you're required to report it via the GV portal. UNSW has a legal obligation to prevent sexual harassment from occurring in the workplace and will have to respond to the situation.

When making a report on behalf of someone else, it is best to ask for their permission to identify them, if possible. If you don’t have permission, you can still report the incident and keep their identity anonymous. 

If a friend tells you they’ve experienced gendered violence, including sexual assault, they may show a range of emotions and physical responses. 

It can be hard to know what to say or do to support someone but remember, they have come to you because they trust you. Let the person decide what steps and support they need, whether that’s using the GV Portal or contacting the police. 

You can help them access support via the GV Portal or other services listed below. Here are some online resources to guide you in supporting them: 

• ReachOut Australia, opens in a new window – 6 tips for supporting a friend who’s been sexually assaulted.
• 1800respect, opens in a new window – Supporting someone experiencing sexual violence. 
• 1800respect, opens in a new window – Safety planning.

Supporting someone through a difficult time can be emotionally challenging for you as well. It’s important to take care of yourself and seek support when you need it. You can use the GV Portal to get support for yourself, but remember - if you don’t have the permission of the person affected, keep their identify anonymous.

Here are other support options available to you: 

• 1800Respect, opens in a new window (1800 737 732) which is a 24-hour phone line for support and advice. 
• UNSW Psychology and Wellness, opens in a new window (9385 5418). 

Calls are redirected to the UNSW After Hours Mental Health Support Line between 5 pm and 9 am Monday to Friday and 24 hours on weekends and public holidays.