Content Note: The following article contains sensitive content, including themes of sexual harm. This may be distressing for some people. Visit Safer Community or Wellbeing Services to seek support as needed.
Sexual harm is never ok.
Unfortunately, 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 support and reporting options if you witness or experience sexual harm.
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.
In an emergency call Triple Zero: 000 (0 000 on university phones). If on campus you can also call Campus Security on 03 9479 2222 (x2222 from university phones).
Want to know what to expect when you contact Safer Community? Check out this article: What to expect when you contact Safer Community.
Learn what the difference is between disclosing and reporting an incident to 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 about Wellbeing Services at La Trobe.
The Safe and Respected at La Trobe Campaign
Starting on 28 July for 5 weeks, La Trobe is running an awareness campaign, Safe and Respected at La Trobe, that aims to help prevent and respond to sexual harm.
You might see images across La Trobe campuses with a range of key messages outlining what sexual harm are, that it is never ok, and how to seek help and support.
Get Involved with Respect @ La Trobe
View upcoming training and workshops with Respect @ La Trobe:
Respect In Action: Expression of Interest
Respect in Action is a FREE 1.5-hour training program that equips you with the skills to recognise respectful relationships, identify green/red flag behaviours, and know where to go for support. We also chat about what being an active bystander means, and how to safely intervene or refer if you witness something that doesn’t seem right.
Date: Friday 12 September 2025 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM (UTC+10)
Location: Online event access details will be provided by the event organiser
LGBTIQA+ Ally Training
Date: Tuesday 16 September 2025 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (UTC+10)
Location: Bendigo Campus – TBA
LGBTIQA+ Ally Training
Date: Thursday 16 October 2025 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (UTC+10)
Location: Bundoora Campus – HS1 – 203
Want to talk to someone outside of La Trobe? View 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.