Report an incident
Source: https://about.uq.edu.au/safety-and-security/sexual-misconduct-bullying-harassment-discrimination-support/report-incident Parent: https://about.uq.edu.au/faculties-institutes/bel/about/contact
It's your choice whether to report sexual misconduct, bullying, harassment or discrimination.
Emergency support
- UQ Security for on-campus emergencies – +61 7 3365 3333
- Police or ambulance – 000
Report to UQ Safer Communities
If you are impacted by inappropriate, unsafe or threatening behaviour you have the right to choose if, how, and when you report it.
Make a report
- Phone: +61 7 3443 1000
- Email: safercommunities@uq.edu.au
- Online: complete the online form to get support from our UQ Safer Communities team and disclose an incident.
Learn more about:
How reporting works
Reporting an incident can be a difficult decision. People choose to report, or not report, for many reasons. Before you report it's important to know:
- you do not need to be sure what happened or know what you want to do next – we can help you understand your reporting options and access support
- we provide confidential support regardless of if you choose to make a formal report
- speaking to UQ Safer Communities does not automatically initiate a formal or investigative process
- the information provided is used to connect you with a trained UQ Safer Communities staff member, who can explain your options and support you
- if you choose to make a formal report, we can provide support throughout the UQ’s processes.
You do not need to make a formal report to access support.
What you can report
All students, staff and members of the UQ community can contact UQ Safer Communities about behaviour that has caused harm, fear, offence or distress, including:
- sexual harassment, sexual assault, or gender-based violence
- domestic or family violence
- harassment, bullying, racism or discrimination
- stalking, intimidation or threatening behaviour
- concerning or escalating behaviour that impacts your safety or wellbeing.
You can also report:
- recent or historical incidents
- incidents that occurred on or off campus, online, on placement, in student accommodation, or in UQ‑related activities.
Types of report
You can choose the reporting option that feels right for you. You are not required to make a formal report to receive support.
We can talk through these options with you at any time.
Disclosure (support without a formal report)
A disclosure is not a formal report. A disclosure allows you to share what happened in a confidential, supportive space.
- You are not starting an investigation.
- You can receive support, information and guidance.
- You can explore options at your own pace.
You can choose to make a formal complaint at any point after you have made a disclosure.
Formal report
A formal report asks The University to consider whether action or investigation is required under UQ policies and procedures.
- UQ Safer Communities does not investigate reports, but can support you through the process.
- You can have support before, during and after a formal report.
- You can choose to make a formal report now, later, or not at all.
You can have a support person throughout the process.
Anonymous report
You can submit a report anonymously.
- Anonymous reports help UQ understand risks and patterns of behaviour.
- We may be limited in our ability to provide direct support or follow up.
- In some circumstances, UQ may still need to act to manage safety risks to the community.
You can choose to move from an anonymous report to an identified report or support at any time.
Report on behalf of someone else
You can contact UQ Safer Communities for confidential advice on how to support someone and what to do next, if:
- you witnessed concerning behaviour
- someone disclosed an experience to you
- you are supporting a student or colleague.
When reporting on behalf of someone else, you should not provide details that could identify the person who experienced the behaviour unless you have their express permission to do so.
If the person who experienced the behaviour lets you know they do not want to make a report, or they do not want a report made on their behalf, it’s important to listen to them and respect their choice.
- If you are concerned about a student’s wellbeing, you can request a welfare check.
- Staff can request a welfare call through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) (staff login required).
You do not need to share identifying details to seek guidance.
Privacy and confidentiality
We respect your privacy and autonomy.
- Your information will not be shared without your consent.
- You control how much you disclose.
- Records are stored securely.
When we may need to share information
In rare situations, we may need to share the minimum necessary information to manage serious or immediate risks, or to meet legal obligations. This may include situations involving:
- immediate risk of harm to you or others
- serious threats to safety
- legal duties under relevant legislation.
If this occurs, we will communicate openly and sensitively with you.
Evidence and records
You do not need evidence to seek support.
If you think you may want to make a formal report in the future, UQ Safer Communities can discuss what evidence or information may be requested. Physical evidence will never be requested.
Other ways to report
You may prefer to seek advice or make a report to an external organisation. These services are independent of UQ and may be able to help you depending on your situation.
You do not need to contact any of these organisations to receive support from UQ Safer Communities. We can help you understand whether these options may be relevant to you.
Learn more about ways to report:
- Police
- National Student Ombudsman
- TEQSA (Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency
- eSafety Commissioner
- AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency)
Police
Contacting UQ Safer Communities is separate from reporting to the police.
- You can report to police at any time.
- You do not need to report to police to receive support from UQ.
- Reporting to police does not affect your ability to make a report to UQ.
UQ Safer Communities can:
- help you understand what police reporting involves
- support you to access external services if you choose
- continue to support you regardless of your decision.
Visit the Queensland Police website for more information.
Alternative Reporting Options (ARO)
Reporting to ARO is an option if you want to provide police with information about an incident, but do not want to make a formal complaint. You have the option to make an anonymous report or elect to be contacted by a police officer to discuss your situation.
Police can use information provided through the ARO process to:
- assist other prosecutions against an offender
- protect the community by enabling police to devise strategies designed to reduce repeat offending.
Learn more about Alternative Reporting Options.
National Student Ombudsman
The National Student Ombudsman is an independent complaints body for students enrolled with higher education providers in Australia.
You can contact the Ombudsman:
- if you’ve made a complaint to UQ and feel it has not been handled fairly
- if you want an external review of how your matter was managed
- if you need independent guidance about your rights as a student
- if you would prefer to speak with someone outside UQ.
This service is free and confidential. Visit the National Student Ombudsman website for more information.
TEQSA (Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency)
TEQSA is Australia’s national higher education quality regulator. It oversees student safety, institutional conduct and compliance with national standards.
You can contact TEQSA to:
- raise concerns about how UQ manages issues relating to student safety, wellbeing, or gender‑based violence
- report concerns that a provider is not meeting national requirements for student safety or support
- seek information about protections available to students under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
Visit the TEQSA website for more information.
eSafety Commissioner
The eSafety Commissioner helps people who have experienced online harm. This may include:
- online abuse, harassment or threats
- non‑consensual sharing of intimate images (image‑based abuse)
- cyberstalking or tech‑based coercive behaviours
- harmful online content directed at you or shared about you.
You can contact the eSafety Commissioner to:
- request removal of harmful online material
- report image‑based abuse
- get advice about online safety and digital evidence
- understand your rights when experiencing online harassment.
Visit the eSafety Commissioner website for more information.
AHPRA (Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency)
AHPRA regulates Australia’s registered health practitioners (such as psychologists, doctors, nurses and social workers registered under national boards).
You can contact AHPRA if:
- the behaviour of a registered health practitioner caused harm, distress or breached professional boundaries
- you have concerns about the safety or conduct of a clinician, whether they are at UQ or in an external service
- you want to understand what standards health professionals must follow
- you want to seek advice on how to raise concerns about clinical safety or professional misconduct.
Visit the AHPRA website for more information.