Sexual harm is never ok. 

….but support is always available.  

We know that sexual harm is common in Australian universities. We also know that some students don’t understand what sexual harm is, and don’t know where to report or seek support if they witness or experience it.  

At La Trobe, we have free, confidential support services and safe reporting options if you have experienced sexual harm yourself, witness something or concerned about someone else.  

Who are Safer Community? 

La Trobe’s  Safer Community service is a free and confidential support and reporting service for all La Trobe students and staff. If you witness or experience inappropriate, threatening or concerning behaviour including sexual harm, in physical or online spaces please visit the Safer Community website to contact the service. You can also use the website to contact Safer Community anonymously. 

Want to know what to expect when you contact Safer Community? Visit  What to expect when you contact Safer Community. 

Learn more

Want to know what to expect when you contact Safer Community? Visit What to expect when you contact Safer Community. 

Who are Wellbeing Services? 

Wellbeing Services offer free and confidential mental health and wellbeing support services for students. 

Students can talk to Wellbeing staff about the impact of sexual harm including online or tech facilitated abuse, or other things like family issues, relationships, stress about university, lack of motivation, stress at home, homesickness, feeling low or anxious, etc. Whatever issues you want to talk about! 

Learn more

The Safe and Respected at La Trobe Campaign 

You may have seen the campaign online and on posters across campus – on pillars, bulletin boards, cafes, libraries and on footpaths at Bundoora and Bendigo. The posters have key messages outlining what sexual harm is, that sexual harm is never ok, and how to seek help and support.  

The campaign aims to help prevent and respond to sexual harm and inform students of reporting and support options. This is part of La Trobe’s commitment to create a campus environment where everyone feels safe, respected and supported. 

Get involved and build your skills through Respect at La Trobe Training!

You can play an active role in creating a safer, more respectful campus by joining Responding to Disclosures training. The training is delivered by students, for students– in a one-hour session building the skills and confidence to recognize and respond to harmful behaviours.

Student Leaders Training: Responding to Disclosures of Gender-Based Violence  

This workshop will equip student leaders with the skills to: 

• recognise gender-based violence, including sexual harm 
• respond supportively and without judgement if someone discloses that they are experiencing harm 
• refer someone on to support, including appropriate pathways and processes 

These sessions are open to all students and participants will receive a certificate once completed.

 Content Note: This training contains discussion of gender-based violence, including sexual harm and family violence, and may be distressing for some people. Participants are advised to make their own assessment on the suitability of this workshop.  

Upcoming dates:  
Thursday 13 August, 4pm – 5pm
Location: 
Online via Zoom 

Supports at La Trobe 

• Connect with La Trobe’s Wellbeing Services, including Student Wellbeing Connect. 

• Out-of-hours mental health and wellbeing support can be accessed anytime 24 hours a day by calling 1300 146 307 or texting 0488 884 100.   

Want to talk to someone outside of La Trobe? See these external supports: 

• 1800 RESPECT: national sexual assault, domestic, family violence counselling service. Tel: 1800 737 732  
• ESafety Commissioner: can help you report and deal with online abuse or illegal and restricted content. 
• NCASA: 03 9496 2369, a sexual assault service located in Heidelberg. An NCASA counsellor also visits the Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus weekly and can be accessed through Wellbeing Services.  
• CASACV: 03 5441 0430 for Bendigo students, trauma-informed counselling, advocacy and support for students who have experienced sexual assault, either recently or in the past. A CASACV counsellor visits the Bendigo Campus fortnightly and can be accessed through Wellbeing Services. 
• Sexual Assault Crisis Line: provides crisis response, support and advocacy for people who have experienced sexual violence. After Hours Tel: 1800 806 292.  
• Djirra:  Djirra is a place where culture is shared and celebrated, and where practical support is available to all Aboriginal women and particularly to those who are experiencing or have experienced family violence.  Tel: 1800 105 3030  
• Daisy app: connecting women who are experiencing or have experienced sexual assault, and domestic and family violence to services in their state and the local area.  
•  QLife: Counselling for LGBTIQ people, by LGBTIQ people. Tel: 1800 184 527  
• Men’s Line: free professional 24/7 telephone counselling support for men with concerns about mental health, anger management, family violence (using and experiencing), addiction, relationships, stress, and wellbeing. Tel: 1300 78 99 78. 

The post Support options at La Trobe for sexual harm appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

Online spaces make university life more connected and accessible. Group chats, social media, gaming spaces, dating apps and online study groups are an everyday part of student life. Everyone should be able to use online spaces, feeling safe and respected. 

Unfortunately, sometimes, online behaviours can make you feel uncomfortable or unsafe. When that happens, it can impact how you feel on campus, and it can also affect how you feel at home, in your relationships and wider community. 

That is why online safety is an important part of building a safe and respectful La Trobe community. Running from 13 July to 14 August, the Safe and Respected campaign reminds us that our online interactions can shape how safe and respected people feel across campus, while helping raise awareness of behaviours that constitute sexual and online harm.  

What is online harm or abuse?  

Online harm or abuse can include:  

• repeated unwanted messages, threats, intimidation or harassment 

• pressure to send intimate images or videos 

• sharing or threatening to share intimate images without content 

• Monitoring, controlling or tracking someone online without their consent  

Online harm can also include sexual harm. 

Did you know that there are Online Safety Laws in Australia? 

The laws protect against: 

• sharing explicit images or videos without consent 

• illegal and violent content including the sexual abuse of children or encouraging terrorism 

• cyberbullying – when someone uses the internet to humiliate, harass, intimidate or threaten a person under the age of 18 

• severely abusive content that is menacing, harassing or offensive and intended to cause serious mental or physical harm to someone who is 18 or older 

Online safety laws address the most severe types of online abuse and enable the  eSafety Commissioner to remove severely harmful online content. 

How can you ensure safety online? 

If online spaces feel unsafe, report and seek support early. You can also regularly check and update your privacy and location settings on online media. Use the restrict, block or report options where possible. If someone threatens you, do not continue engaging with them and cut all contact. 
 
If you are supporting someone experiencing online harm, check in with them privately and encourage them to seek support or report the issue. Understanding what online harm looks like can make it easier to respond effectively and get the right support. Check out the e-safety guide or Young People | eSafety Commissioner to help you navigate social platforms safely.  

Learn what you can report to eSafety and how to report abuse or content to eSafety. 

Have you seen our campaign videos on MyLaTrobe socials?  

Watch our campaign video on the E-safety Commissioner. Week 3 – Online Safety 1 – e-safety commissioner.mp4) 

Get involved in the campaign 

1. Sign up for Respect at La Trobe Student Leaders Training (open for all students). 

2. Explore the new RESPECT AT LA TROBE webpage for events and resources. 

3. View the Safe and Respected at La Trobe campaign website to learn more. 

4. Watch out for updates on the National Student Safety Survey where you can have your say on safety. Visit the NSSS page to learn more. 

For more information about this article and the Safe and Respected campaign, email  respect@latrobe.edu.au.  

 
Supports:  

•  La Trobe’s Safer Community Service, a free and confidential support service for all La Trobe students and staff. If you witness or experience inappropriate, threatening or concerning behaviour of any kind, online, or in-person, please visit the Safer Community website to contact the service.  

• Connect with La Trobe’s Wellbeing Services, including Student Wellbeing Connect. 

• Out-of-hours mental health and wellbeing support can be accessed anytime 24 hours a day by calling 1300 146 307 or texting 0488 884 100.   

External supports: 

• 1800 RESPECT: National sexual assault, domestic, family violence counselling service. Tel: 1800 737 732  

• ESafety Commissioner: Information and reporting about online abuse.  

• CASACV: Trauma-informed counselling, advocacy and support for students who have experienced sexual assault.  

• NCASA: Sexual assault service located in Heidelberg. An NCASA counsellor also visits the Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus weekly and can be accessed through Health Wellbeing and Inclusion. Tel: 03 9496 2369 

• Sexual Assault Crisis Line: Crisis response, support and advocacy for people who have experienced sexual violence. After Hours Tel: 1800 806 292 

• Djirra: Support for Aboriginal women and particularly to Aboriginal people experiencing family violence.  Tel: 1800 105 3030 

• Daisy app: Connecting women who are experiencing or have experienced sexual assault, and domestic and family violence to services in their state and the local area.  

•  QLife: Counselling for LGBTIQ people, by LGBTIQ people. Tel: 1800 184 527  

• Men’s Line: Free professional 24/7 telephone counselling support for men with concerns about mental health, anger management, family violence (using and experiencing), addiction, relationships, stress, and wellbeing. Tel: 1300 78 99 78 

The post Safe and Respected – Online appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

UniSafe is a free service, available from 6pm to 6am, to all La Trobe students and staff on our Melbourne (Bundoora), Bendigo and Albury-Wodonga campuses.

You can use it to request security to escort you:

• between campus buildings
• to campus car parks
• to on-campus student accommodation
• to local transport options – Melbourne (Bundoora) campus only

Request UniSafe by calling Security on 03 9479 2222, or if you’re on our Melbourne Campus, download the UniSafe app from the App Store or Google Play.

With the UniSafe app you can:

• Make your booking in just a few taps
• Book up to an hour in advance
• Get real-time updates on your booking
• See exactly where the UniSafe vehicle is
• Rate your experience to help us improve our service

Visit the Uni-Safe webpage to find out more.

The post On campus after dark? Use the UniSafe service appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

We recognise the unique needs of men at La Trobe when it comes to maintaining good mental and physical health. Our role is to support you in achieving your goals and getting what you want out of life.

Seeking support…not always easy

Many guys say it feels challenging to seek support. Expectations from our society about being strong, independent, and solving problems alone, can make it hard. When men do seek out support they sometimes feel what’s available doesn’t fit their needs or actually speak to them.

Encouragingly, more men are seeking support and seeing this as a sign of strength.

Support for the men at La Trobe

The Men’s Health and Wellbeing Program provides counselling and information with men in mind. Our men’s wellbeing counsellor has extensive experience supporting men and understands the complexities of seeking support and just how difficult it can be to take that first step.

Counselling tailored for men
Men access counselling at our service every day. Support is relaxed, confidential and tailored to each person’s goals. It’s available for anyone wanting to improve their mental health, discuss men’s related issues, or who prefer to see a male counsellor.

Men’s health information/Workshops
Throughout the year we share updates, research, and practical wellbeing information through student communications and in person on campus too.

Men’s Wellbeing Podcast
Our new “Men’s wellbeing conversations” podcast is up and running with information, interviews and topics on what guys are facing today for the men of La Trobe. Listen here.

More information

Men’s wellbeing counselling is available in person at the Melbourne campus or via Zoom for all campuses.

To learn more about the program and check out the podcast visit the website.

Or to book an appointment, click below:

Urgent support

If you need immediate support, contact the La Trobe University Crisis Line for Out-of-Hours Mental Health and Wellbeing Support: Phone 1300 146 307 or text 0488 884 100.

The service operates 5pm–9am on weekdays and 24 hours on weekends and public holidays.

The post Men’s health & wellbeing support services at La Trobe appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

Training sessions:

Responding to Disclosures of Gender-based Violence (online)

This 1-hour workshop includes contemporary content delivered by students for students. It equips you with the skills to:

• Recognise gender-based violence, including sexual harm
• Respond supportively and without judgement if someone discloses that they are experiencing harm
• Refer someone on to support, including appropriate pathways and processes

Who can register:

While tailored for students in leadership roles, this training is open to all students.

Session times:

Wednesday 22 July, 4pm – 5pm

Thursday 30 July, 4pm – 5pm

Wednesday 5 August, 4pm – 5pm

Thursday 13 August, 4pm – 5pm

Content Note: This training contains discussion of gender-based violence, including sexual harm and family violence, and may be distressing for some people. Participants are advised to make their own assessment on the suitability of this workshop.

Developing Disability Confidence (online)

Disability means different things to different people and those views shape how we include others and who we include. In this session, you’ll learn why we think of disability in different ways, discover some of La Trobe’s disability support services, and discover some practical ways to build your disability confidence.

Who can register:

This session is specifically designed for beginners and those new to disability and is open to all students, staff and placement hosts, with or without disability.

Session time:

Thursday 20 August 11am – 12pm

Intro to Neurodiversity (online)

Neurodiversity means recognising and valuing the different ways we learn, communicate, and experience the world. In this session you’ll learn more about neurodiversity language, La Trobe’s neurodiversity services and supports, and practical tips for neuroinclusive practice.

Who can register:

This session is specifically designed for beginners and those new to neurodiversity. The session will be run online via Teams and is open to all students, staff and placement hosts – neurodiverse, neuro-questioning, or just curious!

Session time:

Wednesday 12 August 11am – 12pm

About your presenters:

The Respect at La Trobe team works to support and uphold a safe, healthy, respectful, and inclusive environment for study or work at La Trobe. We offer a range of free, evidence based professional development training options to support respect and well-being for students and staff.

Please get in touch via respect@latrobe.edu.au if you would like to discuss our training.

Participants will receive a certificate and can add the training to your resume. 

The post Semester 2 training from Respect at La Trobe  appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

In an emergency call Triple Zero: 000 (0 000 on University phones) and if on campus also call Campus Security on 03 9479 2222 (x2222 from University phones). 

We want university life to be fun, engaging and rewarding. A time to meet new people, make friends, learn and build knowledge. That means we need the university community to be safe, respectful and inclusive for everyone.  

Unfortunately, sexual harm does occur at university. In fact, sexual harm remains a prevalent  issue across all Australian universities. That is why preventing and responding to sexual harm is a shared responsibility; one that involves students, staff and the wider university community.  
 
The 2021 National Student Safety Survey  reported that many students had little or no knowledge of what sexual harm is, where to report or seek support if they experience or witness it.  

So, what is La Trobe doing to prevent sexual harm and support students? 

The Safe and Respected at La Trobe campaign  

From Monday, 13 July, for 5 weeks, we are running an awareness campaign – Safe and Respected at La Trobe – that aims to help prevent and respond to sexual harm. 

You might see the campaign online and across La Trobe campuses, with key messages about what sexual harm is, that it is never ok, and how to seek help and support. 

Let’s be really clear, what is sexual harm?  

Sexual harm is any behaviour of a sexual nature that is non-consensual, unwanted or unwelcomed. It is behaviour that makes someone feel offended, humiliated, frightened or threatened. Sexual harm can occur in person, online or via the use of technology.   

Why have a campaign to address sexual harm?  

In raising awareness, we hope to prevent further instances of sexual harm.  We also want anyone affected by sexual harm to get the best possible support. No two experiences of sexual harm are the same. There are, however, some common reactions to trauma, along with other common challenges that can make it hard to seek help. The Safe and Respected at La Trobe Campaign seeks to address these barriers so that people can access appropriate help sooner. 

We want anyone who has experienced sexual harm to know that:  

• It is not your fault.  

• We believe you.  

• You are not alone.  

• We are here to help.  

Safer Community  

La Trobe’s Safer Community Service is a free and confidential support service for all La Trobe students and staff. If you witness or experience inappropriate, threatening or concerning behaviour, please visit the Safer Community website to contact the service. You can fill out the Report a concern form to contact Safer Community anonymously. 

In an emergency call Triple Zero: 000 (0 000 on University phones) and if on campus also call Campus Security on 03 9479 2222 (x2222 from University phones)  

Get involved in the campaign 

1. Sign up for Respect at La Trobe Student Leaders Training (open for all students) training 

2. Explore the new RESPECT AT LA TROBE webpage for events and resources 

3. Watch out for updates on the National Student Safety Survey where you can have your say on safety. Visit the NSSS page to learn more. 

For more information about this article and the Safe and Respected campaign, email  respect@latrobe.edu.au.  

Supports at La Trobe: 

• Connect with La Trobe’s Wellbeing Services, including Student Wellbeing Connect. 

• Out-of-hours mental health and wellbeing support can be accessed anytime 24 hours a day by calling 1300 146 307 or texting 0488 884 100.   

Want to talk to someone outside of La Trobe? Here are some external supports: 

• 1800 RESPECT: National sexual assault, domestic, family violence counselling service. Tel: 1800 737 732  

• ESafety Commissioner: Information and reporting about online abuse.  

• CASACV: Trauma-informed counselling, advocacy and support for students who have experienced sexual assault.  

• NCASA: Sexual assault service located in Heidelberg. An NCASA counsellor also visits the Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus weekly and can be accessed through Health Wellbeing and Inclusion. Tel: 03 9496 2369 

• Sexual Assault Crisis Line: Crisis response, support and advocacy for people who have experienced sexual violence. After Hours Tel: 1800 806 292 

• Djirra: Support for Aboriginal women and particularly to Aboriginal people experiencing family violence.  Tel: 1800 105 3030 

• Daisy app: Connecting women who are experiencing or have experienced sexual assault, and domestic and family violence to services in their state and the local area.  

•  QLife: Counselling for LGBTIQ people, by LGBTIQ people. Tel: 1800 184 527  

• Men’s Line: Free professional 24/7 telephone counselling support for men with concerns about mental health, anger management, family violence (using and experiencing), addiction, relationships, stress, and wellbeing. Tel: 1300 78 99 78 

The post The Safe and Respected at La Trobe campaign appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

If you didn’t get the grades you wanted, you might feel a range of emotions, from worry and fear, to sadness, guilt or feeling left out. All of these are normal emotions to feel and can be necessary for the healing process, but there are some things you can do help process this.

The most important thing to remember is that you don’t need to go through it alone – there are a range of Wellbeing Services available to you, and we recommend making the most of them.

Don’t panic and be kind to yourself

You aren’t the only one who didn’t receive the grade they wanted. It may feel like the end of the world now, but it’s important to be kind to yourself. It can be helpful to think of how you would respond to a friend who didn’t get the mark they wanted. Would you be hard on them? The answer is probably no. Try pretending you were that friend and think about what you would say to make them feel better. Now, say it to yourself.

Don’t underestimate how much it can help to talk to someone, whether that’s a friend, family member or a professional. It’s okay to need some extra help, especially during tough times. All La Trobe students can access free, caring and effective support through our counselling and mental health services.

Your grades don’t define your success

Success is not a straight line. Think of it as a squiggly line that goes up and down all over the place, but ultimately trends in a positive direction. Without some failure or hard times, it’s difficult to grow.

Your grades don’t define you

For some, grades are important. For others, grades are just a small part of their life. Regardless of your relationships with your grades, your grades don’t define you. There’s more to life than your grades, and there are so many other things about you that matter.

Think about all the other qualities you bring to the world: how much you care about your friends/family/partner, your kindness to others, your loyalty or passion, your hobbies and your sense of humour. Your achievements exist outside of academics – there are so many areas you can be successful in, and you deserve to recognise yourself for that.

Map out your options

If your results have changed your plans, you might feel like your options have been taken away from you. It can be helpful to sit down and write down all the potential paths you could take from here, whether that be talking to your course coordinators, choosing an alternative course, additional training or retaking your course.

Write your options down so that you can see them all in front of you and plan from there. You might find there are more options than you thought, and you can think your next steps through more clearly when it’s written down.

You don’t have to do it alone – get in touch with ASK La Trobe for one-on-one support looking into what options are available to you.

Learn from it (but do it with joy)

Try to look at the situation as something you can learn from and something that can help you grow and add to your repertoire of life experiences. Ask yourself:

• What can I learn from this?
• What could I do differently next time?
• Do I need to take proactive steps now to avoid it happening again?

Write down the answers and try to act based on what you have learned.

Remain ambitious

Don’t let disappointment hold you back from what you want to do. Take your courage, strength and ability to bounce back from disappointment and use these valuable assets to steer you into whatever you want to do in the future. 

The post How to handle failure or disappointment at results time appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

Just a 10-minute walk from the Agora, the 30 hectare Wildlife Sanctuary and the connected Nangak Tamboree Eco corridor are packed with native plants, waterways and wildlife. Keep an eye out for kangaroos, emus, echidnas and geckos, it’s easy to forget you’re still in Melbourne.

It’s also a great spot for a study session or group catchup, with quiet spots dotted throughout the sanctuary. You could try Yellowbox Hut, Ironbarks Hut, and BioShack for a study group, check out the map for their locations.

Plus, studying outdoors can boost your focus and memory, while spending time in nature helps reduce stress and spark creativity.

So if you’re feeling stuck, stressed or glued to your screen, take a break and head to the Nangak Tamboree Wildlife Sanctuary. A little nature might be exactly what you need to reset and refocus.

Follow the signs from outside the library, they will lead you through Car Park 8 and to take you to a place of greenery and bird song! The perfect way to recharge.

The post Discover a hidden gem at the Melbourne (Bundoora) campus appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

This year’s theme focuses on guys looking after themselves with the ‘see a GP’ campaign.
Thus highlighting the importance of seeking support and looking after our physical, mental and
emotional wellbeing.

Check out the Australian Men’s Health Foundation (AMHF) to find out more: About – Men’s Health
Week. The AMF also have a great resource Know your man facts – AMHF –
Australian Men’s Health Forum with toolkits to support your physical and mental health. Take a look
for yourself or share it with some of the important men in your life.

Men’s Wellbeing here at La Trobe

The Men’s Health & Wellbeing service provides dedicated support and information for the men of La
Trobe. This includes counselling tailored specifically to men’s needs and experiences, with a focus on
creating a relaxed, confidential space, centred on you and what you want to achieve.

For more information or to organise a counselling session, check out our section on men’s health and wellbeing.

Happy Men’s Health Week!

The post Men’s Health Week 2026 appeared first on MyLaTrobe.

Try some of the below tips to see if you can take control of your worries, and if not, there is always free support available to you at the Health and Wellbeing Resource Centre. Reach out to have a chat with our Student Wellbeing Advisors for short and long-term support.

1. Put your worries into perspective

While worries are sometimes valid, they can feel difficult to cope, especially in stressful times like the lead up to exams and final assignments.

It might be helpful though, to ‘get out of your own head’ and look at it from another perspective. Keep your eye on the bigger picture and know that one fail or low grade isn’t going to derail your plan. There are always options to re-take or re-do courses, or other pathways to get to where you want.

2. Manage your caffeine intake

A little bit of caffeine can be helpful for an extra boost, but too much can actually damage our memory retention and ability to sleep. So control your intake of coffee or Red Bull just so you can continue to cram all day and night!

3. Get enough sleep

In addition to reducing caffeine, make sure you’re getting enough shut-eye. Sleep replenishes your energy and helps you retain the information you’ve learned during the day. It also plays an important part in regulating our emotions and makes us better able to concentrate during the day.

Reach Out – Tips on how to get a good night’s sleep

4. Get active!

Exercising may seem difficult to do when you’re stressed, but work-outs are proven to help with stress and anxiety. So even if you don’t feel like it, take a gentle walk, do some stretching, play with your dog or whatever you can just to get your heart rate up and blood flowing. Aren’t you feeling calmer already?!

5. Take enough breaks

Make sure you take short, quality breaks every hour of study. This will help you remain on task. Studying for hours on end can cause you to lose concentration. Taking regular breaks can help us recharge and be more productive. It’s not the time you study, it is the quality of your hours.

6. Schedule time for things you enjoy

All work and no play makes everyone dull. Make sure you continue doing the things you enjoy outside of study. Chat with your friends, work-out or watch that latest Netflix show (within reason!). Try and give your brain a break so you can stay active, energised and happy. This will help you feel refreshed when you come back to study.

7. Remember, not all stress is bad

In some cases, when we need to get something done, a little bit of stress can be the push we need to get moving. It can make you more alert and motivate you to study when you need to or get your mind ready for an exam. The trick is to know when it is too much stress.

If you’re losing control of a situation, or you’re doing things to help the stress and it isn’t going away, then you might need some support. Reach out to the Health and Wellbeing Resource Centre to discuss options for short and long-term support! That’s what we’re there for!?

All the best for your upcoming exams!

The post 7 tips to look after your wellbeing during the exam period appeared first on MyLaTrobe.