Safer Communities

At UniSQ, we’re committed to building a respectful and safe community. Through our Safer Communities team, we provide a supportive response to students who have experience unwanted or concerning behaviours. If it matters to you, it matters to UniSQ.

Seek specialist support

If you have experienced or observed behaviour that is harassing, intimidating, disrespectful, or threatening, know that we are here to provide confidential support. Even if you are not sure if it’s a big deal, just reach out and share what you can. Let us know how the situation is impacting on you. We’ll listen, support you, and help you understand what choices you have.

Translation services are available to students who are seeking support or making a formal report.

Want to understand how the process works? Find out more by making a disclosure to seek support, or make a formal report to request that the university take action. Either way, you can access free and confidential support from the Safer Communities team.

Make a disclosure

Make a formal report

Contact the Safer Communities team

Phone | 07 4631 2372

Email | safercommunities@unisq.edu.au

What we can help with

Your safety and wellbeing are important. If you’re feeling unsafe, whether because of someone’s words, actions, or behaviour, UniSQ is here to support you.

Through Safer Communities, we can help if you’re experiencing things like sexual harassment, assault, domestic or family violence, stalking, or threatening behaviour. These situations can be distressing, and you don’t have to face them alone.

We offer:

Confidential advice and support tailored to your situation
Help understanding your options, including reporting pathways
Referrals to specialist services, both on and off campus.

If you ever feel in immediate danger:

Call 000 for Emergency Services
Contact UniSQ Security on 4631 2222 if you're on campus

Everyone deserves to feel respected and included at UniSQ. If someone is using words or actions to hurt, exclude, or intimidate you - especially if it’s happening repeatedly - that may be bullying or harassment. This includes online behaviour like cyberbullying.

Discrimination, such as being treated unfairly because of your race, gender, disability, or other personal characteristics, can also be deeply harmful - and in many cases, it’s unlawful under the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991.

Safer Communities can help you make sense of what’s happening and talk through your options. Whether you’re looking for advice, want to raise a concern, or need support navigating next steps, we’re here to help you feel safe and supported.

University life can be challenging, and it’s okay to not feel okay. If you’re experiencing emotional distress, thoughts of self-harm, suicidal feelings, or if you’re concerned about the wellbeing of another student, support is available.

Safer Communities can connect you with the Wellbeing team for specialised and confidential mental health support at UniSQ.

Sometimes you might notice something that doesn’t feel right: a friend acting differently, a classmate in distress, or behaviour that raises concern. You might not be sure what to do, or whether it’s serious enough to report.

That’s where Safer Communities can help. Whether you’re seeking advice, want to talk something through, or prefer to share a concern anonymously, we’re here to listen and guide you. You don’t need to have all the answers, just reaching out is a positive first step.

Helpful tools, resources, and training

Course: Respectful Relationships

Respectful relationships are everyone’s responsibility, at university and in life. This self-paced online module explores what it means to show respect in your personal and academic relationships, how to recognise disrespectful or violent behaviours, the importance of consent, how to be an ethical bystander, and ways to support someone who has experienced sexual harm.

Start the Respectful Relationships course.

Course: Respectful Research Relationships

Research relationships can bring unique challenges, especially when it comes to setting boundaries and maintaining respectful collaboration. This self-paced course is designed for Higher Degree by Research students and explores how to build safe, ethical, and respectful research relationships.

Start the Respectful Research Relationships course.

Find Local Help

Service Seeker
Service Seeker is Australia’s largest database of health and community services. Just type in a keyword and location (e.g. “sexual assault Toowoomba” or “counselling 4300”) to find nearby support.

Legal and Advocacy Support

Domestic and Family Violence Law Help
Offers legal info and lists support services for each state and territory.

Learn About Coercive Control

Coercive Control Modules – Queensland
Free online training to help you understand coercive control and how to get support.
Family Violence and Research
Explore research and resources to better understand family violence.

eSafety

Access eSafety resources aimed at supporting tertiary students and staff with understanding online abuse and the external support and reporting options available.

24/7 Support Services

1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732
National counselling and referral service for sexual assault and family violence.
LifeLine – 13 11 14
Lifeline offers crisis support and suicide prevention for anyone in emotional distress.
MensLine Australia – 1300 78 99 78
Support for men dealing with relationship or emotional issues, available daily.

Reporting to Police

Queensland Police – Sexual Assault reporting options:
- Report anonymously using the Alternative Reporting Option. No investigation will occur, but your info may help future cases.
- Submit a formal report via the Sexual Assault Online Form, by phone, or in person. This may lead to police investigation and legal action.

Crime Stoppers – 1800 333 000
Report criminal activity anonymously via Crime Stoppers.

Understanding inappropriate sexual behaviour can help you recognise when something isn’t okay and when to seek support.

Sexual assault is any sexual act done without consent, often involving force, pressure, or manipulation. It includes things like stealthing, unwanted touching, being forced to engage in or witness sexual acts, or attempts to do so. Sexual assault is a crime and can also be reported to Queensland Police.
Sexual harassment is any unwelcome sexual behaviour. This can include unwanted advances, intrusive personal questions, sexual jokes, leering, or displaying offensive images. Sexual harassment can be unlawful.

Find out more about sexual assault and sexual harassment

Find out more

Find out what what gender-based violence is, the different forms it can take, and how UniSQ can support you if you’ve been affected, whether it happened on or off campus. You’ll also find information about reporting options, support services, and what to expect if you're involved in an investigation.

Support information for gender-based violence

Find out more

Domestic and family violence is when one person in a relationship (i.e. partner, family member) uses violence or abuse to exercise power and control over another person. Domestic Violence is a crime and can also be reported to Queensland Police.

To better understand what coercive control is, how to navigate community supports and the legal system, complete the two free online modules by the Queensland Government.

Find out more about coercive control

Complete the modules

Stalking is when someone intentionally directs their attention to another in a way that causes them to feel afraid, threatened or believe they are in danger. Stalking is a crime and can also be reported to Queensland Police.

Threatening behaviour is behaviour or actions that cause someone to feel that danger or injury is likely to happen. Threats to safety can be an emergency.

If you are worried about immediate safety:

Emergency Services: Phone 000 - ask for Police.
UniSQ Campus Security Phone: 4631 2222.

It’s important to note that there can be many policies and procedures that apply in resolving concerns of unwanted and inappropriate behaviours. We know that understanding these policies and procedures can be tough, especially when you’re experiencing something concerning. You can share a concern and we can support you to understand your options.

Some relevant policies and procedures include: