Respect Network  

The Respect Network aims to address the identified challenges for the university sector relating to sexual violence, sexual harassment and other forms of discrimination and harassment perpetrated against students and staff. Respect Network members will work proactively in prevention alongside UQ Respect and Workplace Diversity and Inclusion by addressing the practices and cultures that enable sexual violence, discrimination and harassment.  

Respect Network Ambassadors are not specialists in the prevention and response to sexual misconduct, discrimination and/or harassment. Instead, Respect Network Ambassadors represent UQ community members who believe that sexual violence, discrimination and harassment have no place in the UQ community and want to champion change in their areas. 

• Cultivate a university environment/s free from all forms of sexual misconduct, discrimination and harassment 

• Identify and address barriers faced by students and staff in accessing information, support and reporting in relation to sexual misconduct, harassment and discrimination 

• Drive collaboration and consultation to ensure all university initiatives are designed with key, relevant populations in mind 

• Create a vast community network of staff and students engaged in continuous learning to ensure up-to-date knowledge and approaches to prevention 

As a Respect Network Ambassador, your role is to promote a safe, respectful, inclusive, and violence-free culture at UQ by working alongside UQ Respect and Workplace, Diversity and Inclusion. All Respect Network members must complete training to access the program. The network aims to have ambassadors from across all schools, facilities, institutions and organisational units across UQ. 

Staff Training 

To become a Respect Network Staff Ambassador, you must:  

• Complete Preventing Sexual Misconduct in the University Context training 

• Complete Responding to Sexual Misconduct in the University Context training 

• Be committed to addressing sexual misconduct, harassment and discrimination through prevention activities. 

Resources 

You will also be provided with exclusive learning opportunities organised by UQ Respect and Workplace Diversity and Inclusion and have access to all campaign materials to promote in your workplace or study space.  

All members of the network are equipped through training to safely and appropriately respond to disclosures of sexual violence and harassment. Please note that members of the Respect Network are not counsellors and cannot provide counselling support. Respect Network members are there to provide support and information to the UQ community by utilising UQ’s Listen, Support, Refer model. This model is applicable to people of all knowledge and skill levels to understand their roles and boundaries when receiving a disclosure to enable safe, trauma-informed and survivor-centred practice. 

For counselling support, support making a report, academic adjustments, accommodation or financial support, along with other forms of support, please contact the Sexual Misconduct Support Unit (SMSU).

Further information 

If you have any questions about the Respect Network, please contact us at uqrespect@uq.edu.au.