CDU launches new plan to prevent gender-based violence

Charles Darwin University (CDU) has introduced a new plan to prevent and respond to gender-based violence, following consultation with staff, students, and community members.

The Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response Plan (2026-2029) encompasses six key domains: workplace, students, policy and governance, community, accommodation, and environments.  

The plan breaks each action item into short, medium, and long-term goals.

For example, the plan will increase support for students who have experienced gender-based violence through financial literacy supports, investigating scholarship funding for women in remote or rural locations whose experience of gender-based violence impacts their studies, and developing an accessible reporting tool.

It will also implement annual Respect Matters training – which will be mandatory for all students – and ensure such training is reviewed by students, experts, and those with lived experiences.  

The results of the latest National Student Safety Survey will be released early next year. The 2021 survey found that one in six university students had experienced sexual harassment, and 4.5 per cent had experienced sexual assault in a university context.

CDU Interim Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Fiona Coulson said the plan would set out how the University would take practical, evidence-based steps to prevent violence and support those affected.  

"The university sector has the capacity to drive meaningful social change in our communities," Professor Coulson said.

"We are institutions of teaching, research, and partnerships - and in the context of the Northern Territory, CDU is uniquely positioned as the only University headquartered in the NT.

"We have a duty of care to our students, staff, and community, and the Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response Plan is a critical step towards meeting that duty."

The complete Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response Plan (2026-2029) can be accessed here.