Respect. Now. Always.
If you are experiencing violence or are concerned for your immediate safety, please call 000.
If you are on campus, you can contact CDU Security through the Safe Zone App or by calling 1800 646 501.
To find a community support organisation near you, please refer to the 1800RESPECT Service Directory.
Charles Darwin University joins universities nationwide in supporting the Respect. Now. Always. initiative, led by Universities Australia.
This world-first, sector-wide program aims to prevent sexual violence in university communities and improve how universities respond to and support those who have been affected.
Respect at CDU
CDU is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment, actively preventing and responding to domestic and family violence, sexual violence, bullying, harassment and discrimination.
CDU strives to foster an understanding of respect, empathy and consent, and encourages all staff and students to seek support and report any incidents of concern.
If you have witnessed or experienced domestic and family violence, sexual violence, bullying, harassment, or discrimination, you are not alone, it is not your fault, and support is always available.
We invite you to join us in creating a University where everyone feels safe, valued, and empowered.
Higher education national code to prevent and respond to gender-based violence
The National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence (the Code) was developed by the Federal Government in partnership with leading experts, advocacy groups, victim-survivors, and the higher education sector. It sets clear, sector-wide standards for preventing, reporting, and responding to all forms of gender-based violence, defined as, “any form of physical or non-physical violence, harassment, abuse or threats, based on gender, that results in, or is likely to result in, harm, coercion, control, fear or deprivation of liberty or autonomy”.
The Code applies across the entire university environment, including on-campus conduct, digital spaces, university-affiliated activities, placements, and off-campus events. All Australian universities, including CDU, are required to embed these standards into their policies, training, support systems, and reporting processes to ensure a whole-of-organisation approach to safety and response.
CDU has formed a dedicated Working Group to advance the Code by:
- Strengthening staff and student disclosure pathways for supportive, trauma-informed responses
- Embedding gender competency in curriculum design
- Aligning policies and guidelines
- Expanding targeted awareness campaigns
- Completing an institutional self-assessment to identify systemic risks, barriers, and enablers
Help us build a safer community
In October 2025, we invited our CDU community to share your feedback and diverse perspectives on how CDU is currently preventing and responding to gender-based violence, as well as the barriers people encounter in this space. Your insights directly informed the development of action items within our Gender-based Violence Prevention and Response Plan.
With support from the team that leads the Your Voice Student Network, a report has been developed that synthesises the key messages and themes from the survey. As part of our commitment to transparency and amplifying community voices, this report is now available here: Prevention and Response to Gender-Based Violence Survey Findings.
We understand that gender-based violence impacts many within our community. Remember that support is available to you. Please take note of the support services and helplines which can be found at the bottom of this page.
What to do if you have experienced violence
If you’ve experienced violence, it’s up to you whether or not you decide to make a report, what steps you take, and who is involved. Whatever you choose, we will respect your decision at every stage, and even if you change your mind later.
Remember, you don’t have to make a report to access support. Help is always available, no matter what.
Keep reading to learn more about the types of violence and where you can find support.
Reporting gender-based violence
Gender-based violence (GBV) refers to any form of physical or non-physical violence, harassment, abuse or threat based on gender that results in, or is likely to result in, harm, coercion, control, feat, or deprivation of liberty or autonomy (Department of Education, 2025).
CDU encourages all students and staff to report all instances of violence, including gender-based violence, and any situation that makes you feel unsafe.
You can learn more about gender-based violence and the supports available, at the CDU gender-based violence webpage.
Book an appointment with Safer Communities
If you are a student, and you have been impacted by gender-based violence (GBV), including domestic, family and sexual violence, and would like to talk with someone or seek support, you can book an appointment with Safer Communities team using the links below.
Safer Communities provides free, private and confidential support in a safe and respectful space. You can talk with us about what’s happening at your own pace, and we’ll work with you to understand what support may be helpful for you.
Appointments are available in person at Casuarina, Darwin City, and Sydney, as well as by phone or online.
Phone: (08) 8946 6288
Please note: If you can’t find a suitable appointment time through our booking platform, please complete the manual appointment booking form and let us know your availability. We’ll do our best to arrange an appointment that works for you.
Bullying, harassment and discrimination
CDU is committed to providing a safe and healthy workplace and study environment that is free from harassment, bullying, and discrimination.
CDU does not tolerate this treatment under any circumstance and considers this to be inappropriate behaviour.
Actions or behaviours that constitute bullying, harassment, and discrimination are a breach of Code of Conduct – Employees or Code of Conduct – Students.
Staff or students that have experienced or witnessed bullying, harassment and/or discrimination may raise a complaint in accordance with the Complaints and Grievance Policy and Procedure - Employees and the Complaints Policy - Students.