Safety Support NETWORK
The ACU Safety Support Network will be a visible network of specially trained staff who provide the essential support to any student who has experienced sexual assault, sexual harassment, family or domestic violence, inappropriate behaviour or who are experiencing suicidal ideation.
ACU recognises that providing compassion, empathy and non-judemental support will help to improve the recovery of students who have experienced trauma.
The University is committed to increasing students understanding and confidence as to how to make disclosure or report to the university and how to seek support. To achieve this, the University aims to increase the awareness and visibility of the Safety Support Network on each campus which will lead to greater awareness of ACU support services and will help students feel safe and supported.
ACU acknowledges that many staff members who handle a student disclosure as a first responder may not have the confidence or skills to support the student, which may lead to detrimental effects on the students recovery, mental health and welfare concerns for staff who may experience vicarious trauma as a result of the disclosure.
The Safety Support Network provides a direct source of contact for all staff to offer support and assistance with the disclosure.
The role of the Safety Support Officer is to:
- Provide a safe space as a single point of contact to assist and support students who have experienced sexual assault, sexual harassment, family/domestic violence, inappropriate behaviour of are experiencing suicidal ideation.
- Provide safe space as a single point of contact to assist staff who are supporting students through a disclosure.
- Respond with compassion, understanding and help students to access counselling, or external support services.
- Provide students and staff with information about ACU’s reporting options, and assist students through the reporting process.
- Work through what support the student needs to continue their study, regardless of whether the perpetrator is associated with ACU.
- Follow up with the student and staff as required. • Liaise with the National Manager, Safeguarding and Student Safety to submit a Code Green Report under the Critical Incident Management Policy; coordinate practical academic support for the student and; implement safety plans if and when required.
- Promote an understanding and awareness of ACU’s reporting procedure and support services.
What is it?
A group of specially trained staff that act as a single point of contact to assist and support students who have experienced sexual assault, sexual harassment, family or domestic violence, or some other similar or equivalent form of inappropriate behaviour which makes them feel unsettled or threatened (‘inappropriate behaviour’), and/or who are experiencing suicidal ideation.
Safety Support Officers will also act as a single point of contact to assist staff who are supporting students through a disclosure.
Upon receipt of a student disclosure the Safety Support Officer will be expected to:
- Respond with compassion and understanding, and help students to access counselling support within the University or externally, and other support services as needed.
- Provide students and staff with information about ACU’s reporting options, and assist students through the reporting process.
- Identify and assist with putting in place appropriate supports the student may need to continue with their studies, regardless of whether the perpetrator is associated with ACU or not.
- Follow up with the student and staff as required.
- Liaise with the National Manager, Safeguarding and Student Safety to submit a Code Green Report.
- Promote an understanding and awareness of ACU’s reporting procedure and support services.
What training will staff need to do?
Staff who nominate and are approved for the Safety Support Network will be taken through a full day training covering?
- What is sexual harassment, sexual assault and consent?
- Impact of abuse
- Signs and indicators of abuse – what staff should look out for
- Critical communication skills for first responders
- Victim-centric responding
- Professional boundaries
- Support services, options and ongoing welfare – how do you support someone who discloses to you
- What are ACU’s reporting options and process
- Vicarious trauma – self-care for support officers
When will the training be run?
Training will be run face-to-face in June.
What staff should apply?
Staff in key student-facing roles which have a close relationship with students such as:
- Staff including Course Coordinators/Lecturer in Charge
- Professional Staff
- Student facing staff AskACU, Student Life, ACU Sport, Campus Ministry
Staff need to have the capacity to be able to allocate 2-4 hours a week when a student disclosure is received. Staff must have supervisor approval prior to nomination.
What qualities and attributes in staff are we looking for?
- Good communication and listening skills;
- patience;
- confidence;
- respect;
- empathy; and who are
- non-judgmental and trustworthy.
If this is of interest to you please proceed to completing the EOI below.
