University of Melbourne reports 300% increase in staff-related sexual misconduct complaints

The University of Melbourne has published its annual sexual misconduct report, revealing a substantial increase in allegations of sexual misconduct by staff.

The University of Melbourne’s annual sexual misconduct report revealed that a total of 21 sexual misconduct complaints were made about staff – a substantial increase from the seven complaints made in 2023 (300 per cent).

Overall, six members of staff were dismissed by the university in 2024 upon finding evidence of sexual misconduct being carried out, with some of these cases having occurred back in 2023 and the investigations and subsequent dismissals spanning over to the following year.

Over the course of the year, the “Safer Community Program” – implemented by the university to deal with matters relating to sexual misconduct – engaged with 71 people on the basis of sexual misconduct. Seventy-four per cent of this group were international students, with the majority (70 per cent) of these sexual misconduct incidents reportedly occurring on campus.

According to the report, 74 per cent of the complaints about staff-related sexual misconduct came from women (23), 7 per cent were from men, 3 per cent from non-binary, and 16 per cent from anonymous complainants.

“Everyone in our university is entitled to expect an environment that is safe, positive and enriching,” said University of Melbourne provost, Professor Nicola Phillips, touching on the progress made – but the work still to be done.

“No individual in our community should be subjected to sexual harassment or sexual assault as they go about their studies or work, and everyone should expect – and insist on – an environment which is characterised by professionalism and respect.”

Phillips claims that the university’s continued commitment to the report demonstrates their transparency and accountability around the issue of sexual misconduct.

“The university leadership’s commitment to eliminating sexual misconduct remains undimmed, and the publication of the 2024 Sexual Misconduct Annual Report is critical to achieving transparency and accountability,” Phillips said.

“We will continue to stand up for these values and decisively respond to sexual assault or sexual harassment where it is found to have occurred in our community, following processes that are conducted fairly and carefully.

“But it is not just about responding when these things happen. It is also about creating a positive culture right across our university in which these forms of abuse are not accepted, are not accommodated or enabled or trivialised, and are always taken seriously – regardless of who the perpetrator may be.”

The complaints of sexual misconduct against students were down just 8 per cent from 2023, falling from 25 to 23. After investigations into the complaints, seven students were found to have engaged in sexual misconduct, with a range of behaviour including sexual comments, inappropriate online comments, unwelcome sexual advances, stalking, inappropriate touching, and unwelcome general sexualised behaviour.

“I’d like to thank all our students and staff members for engaging in our Respect work, and to especially acknowledge victim-survivors, who are working with us to address and eliminate sexual misconduct from our community,” Phillips said.