Domestic and Family Violence - Southern Cross University

Our Commitment to Safety and Respect

At Southern Cross University, we are dedicated to ensuring that every member of our community feels safe, respected and included. This commitment underpins everything we do and will be further strengthened by the Australian Government’s introduction of the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence (the National Code), which has now passed into law.

The National Code sets clear standards and best practice requirements for how universities and other higher education providers must prevent and respond to gender-based violence.

What does gender-based violence mean?

Under the National Code, gender-based violence is defined broadly as any form of physical or non-physical violence, harassment, abuse or threats based on gender that causes, or is likely to cause, harm, coercion, control, fear or the loss of liberty. This replaces the previous terminology of ‘sexual harm and family violence’ to reflect a more comprehensive approach.

Southern Cross University is committed to supporting students experiencing gender-based violence to continue to participate in their study, ensuring at the same time that strict confidentiality and privacy is maintained.

If you are experiencing gender-based violence (including physical, sexual, financial, verbal or emotional abuse by an immediate family member) or know someone who is, support is available.

Immediate crisis response

For help in an emergency contact: Police and Ambulance: 000
or
On campus – contact security 1800 SC HELP/ 1800 72 4357 (free call from any campus phone)

Staff members who experience domestic or family violence, please refer to the following webpage for information and support available: Staff Domestic & Family Violence Support

Definitions

Domestic Violence refers to acts of violence that occur in domestic settings between two people who are, or were, in an intimate relationship.

Family Violence is a broader term than domestic violence, as it refers to violence between intimate partners and violence between family members. Family violence includes violent or threatening behaviour or any other form that coerces or controls a family member to be fearful.

In Indigenous communities, family violence is often the preferred term as it encapsulates the broader issue of violence within extended families, kinship networks, community relationships, and intergenerational issues. Source: Our Watch, Australia’s National Research Organisation for Women’s Safety (ANROWS) and VicHealth (2015)

Interpersonal violence, often referred to as intimate partner violence, domestic violence or battering, is a pattern of behaviour used to establish power and control over another person through fear and intimidation, often including the threat or use of violence.

Domestic and family violence happens in many different forms, each of which has its own devastating consequences:

Physical Abuse	Social Abuse
Verbal Abuse	Sexual Abuse
Psychological/Emotional Abuse	Financial Abuse
Spiritual/Cultural Abuse	Damage to Personal Property
Digital Abuse	Stalking

Further information on the different forms of abuse can be found at the NSW Department of Communities and Justice webpage.

Support at SCU for students

SCU Counselling Services

Students are encouraged to speak with Counselling Services. They provide confidential and free in-person, Zoom and telephone/SMS support services.

Phone: 1800 72 4357
Email: counselling@scu.edu.au

Make a call

Safety Support and Wellbeing

Students can also talk with the Student Safety Support and Wellbeing Coordinator, who is available to provide support, information and service referral options.

Phone: 1800 72 4357
Email: studentsafety@scu.edu.au

Make a call

External Support Services

1800RESPECT

24 hours to support people impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, and abuse. Access confidential counselling and support.

Find out more

Call 1800 737 732

Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence Helpline

For anyone in Australia whose life has been impacted by domestic or family violence. Available 24/7.

Find out more

Call 1800 943 539

White Ribbon

White Ribbon Australia is part of a global social movement working to eliminate gendered violence.

List of support services for each of the Australian states.

Our Watch: making our campuses safer

To ensure we continue to make our campuses and residential accommodation safe we are working together with Our Watch and Universities Australia. The Respect and Equality in Universities project provided a whole-of-institution strategy to prevent violence against women and people who identify as LGBTIQ+ involved reviewing our policies, systems, and culture, and taking action across all aspects of the university.

Resources, toolkits and standards

Are you a student needing help?

Security and support services

1800 SC HELP / 1800 72 4357

Gender-based Violence