Australia lacks support standards for students after sexual assault at school
Australia has no support standards for school students after sexual assault. Yet 40 per cent report unwanted sexual encounters.
A student sexually assaulted by a classmate often returns to school with no extra help. There is no guaranteed counselling.
There is no guarantee they won't see their attacker in class. About 40 per cent of students in years 10 to 12 have reported unwanted sexual encounters.
But Australian schools lack consistent support standards. Universities already have such standards under a National Higher Education Code.
Yet school students get patchy responses. Some schools offer counselling and learning support.
Others dismiss complaints or blame the victim. Advocates and lawyers signed an open letter.
They called on state and federal education ministers to set minimum standards. These would include counselling access.
They would include extensions for schoolwork. They would include arrangements to keep students away from their attackers.
They would include funded expert services to guide schools. They would include teacher training.
Why it mattersStudents dealing with trauma can fall behind. They can leave school. They can spiral without proper support. Standards mean every school takes duty of care seriously.
AustraliaEvery Australian school student who survives sexual assault deserves the same basic protections; right now, support depends on which school and which state they attend.
