As part of the world-first Respect. Now. Always. initiative, Australia’s universities asked the Australian Human Rights Commission to conduct a national survey to provide robust data on university student experiences of sexual assault and sexual harassment.

Universities Australia Chief Executive Belinda Robinson said that the commissioning of this survey by university Vice-Chancellors last year reflects their commitment, and determination to address and prevent sexual assault and harassment.

“This work was led by Vice-Chancellors, and so it should come as no surprise that all universities will release their institutional data,” Ms Robinson said.

“University leaders wanted the survey to guide further improvements in how to prevent and respond to sexual assault and harassment, and support survivors,” she said.

“Sexual violence is a community-wide problem and university leaders are stepping up to the challenge.”

The Commission has advised that the national report will by finalised by mid-2017. The individual university data will be released at the same time as the national report.

The survey was developed by the Australian Human Rights Commission with input from experts including Roy Morgan Research and the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

In addition to the prevalence survey, there was an online submission process run by the Commission.

Universities Australia again clarified that ethics approval was received for the national prevalence survey.