The JCU Respect program
James Cook University is committed to fostering a community that features, at its core, respect, inclusion and safety for all.
The JCU Respect program of activities reflects the University’s commitment to the elimination of sexual harassment, sexual assault and gender-based violence and is based on three principles:
- Successful and sustainable change depends on strong and courageous leadership that reverberates through the institution.
- Effective systems are needed to create a safe and supportive response for individuals who experience sexual harassment or sexual assault and to ensure individuals are accountable for their actions.
- Education underpins behaviour change to create a safe, respectful and inclusive culture.
The JCU Respect program serves staff and student communities in an integrated way, rather than differentiating between these communities. The key benefits of a fully integrated approach are consistent and coherent messages, single response pathways, and focused resourcing on prevention actions.
For more information about the JCU Respect program, please contact Dr Ryl Harrison at jcurespect@jcu.edu.au.
Structure of the JCU Respect program
University Council - Governance Monitoring and oversite of the Statement of Commitment, the JCU Respect Program and the National Code, including through the Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee and Work Health and Safety Committee. |
Vice Chancellor Professor Simon Biggs, and the Office of the Vice Chancellor |
Vanessa Cannon, Chief of Staff – Risk Management and Critical Incidents Associate Professor Ines Zuchowski – Expert Academic Lead. Prevention and Response Dr Ryl Harrison – Strategic Policy Adviser. Prevention and Response
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Prevention | Response |
Dr Chris Pam – Program Coordinator and facilitator TBC - JCU Respect Program Officer
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JCU Respect Misconduct Officers Linda Ford - Senior Lecturer, Social Work Ashton Kline - Lecturer in Nursing and Midwifery TBC - JCU Respect Program Officer |
Partnerships | |||
Specialist Sexual Assault and DFV Services JCU has MOUs and/or referral pathways in place with the Specialist Services in Townsville and Cairns covering prevention and response. | Student Groups The JCU Respect program is engaged with: JCU Respect Student Reference Group JCU Student Association Residential Leaders | Workshop Facilitators JCU retains a small pool of expert casual facilitators who deliver Respectful Relationship Workshops in the Residential Colleges. | Residential Colleges JCU has agreements with the 4 Residential Colleges outlining shared approaches to prevention and response. |
Consistent approach across university enabling functions | |
The JCU Respect program works in an integrated way with other areas in the University that have delegated responsibilities, such as:
| Response is centralised via JCU Respect Misconduct Officers who provide a single point of contact to the person affected (or their support person) and a single point of contact for line managers too where this is appropriate. This is an important safeguard to ensure that policy and procedures are enacted consistently and to ensure that response is trauma informed, and victim centred. |
Colleges and Divisions |
Divisional DVCs, Academic College Deans, Research Institute Directors and enabling services Deans and Directors are responsible for leading activity to address gender inequality and demonstrate JCU’s commitment to the elimination of sexual harassment, sexual assault and gender based violence in the areas of the University they lead. The JCU Respect program provides advice to, but does not replace, this critical activity. |
JCU's Statement of Commitment
James Cook University is committed to fostering a community that features, at its core, respect, inclusion and safety for all. We uphold gender equality as a foundation for respectful relationships and an underpinning principle for change. This means a strong and enduring commitment to the elimination of sexual harassment, sexual assault and domestic and family violence.
There remains an urgent need to foster safe, respectful communities free of discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual assault and gender-based violence. Our University recognises that need and is determined to do all we can in our own University community and in the communities we serve.
As an institution dedicated to education and research, and committed to the communities we serve, we have a special responsibility to critically reflect, and create the change that is required, in order that men and women enjoy equal respect free from violence in all its forms.
We recognise that our values of Authencity, Excellence, Integrity and Respect can only be fully realised when the contributions of all in our community are recognised, supported and respected.
We recognise that institutional structures and individual behaviours within society, and within our own University, need to change and that change can be immensely challenging. Change requires examining deeply held beliefs and assumptions, and sustained effort.
We understand the material circumstances of peoples’ lives matter, and that the institutions of our society need constant attention to ensure just and equitable outcomes. Without vigilance, there is risk that some people – by virtue of their identity, ethnicity, sex, abilities, resources or age – are routinely believed, supported and served whilst others are routinely marginalised, disbelieved and forgotten.
We recognise that the progress that has been made to date, and the progress we need to make, is not possible without the generous and courageous sharing from those who have experienced harassment and violence and the commitment of all members of our community.
We are committed to strengthening gender equality and playing our part to create the safe and respectful environment that our society deserves, and look to a future when the scourge of sexual harassment, sexual assault and gender-based violence is no more.
This enduring Statement of Commitment, issued in 2025, reaffirms the commitment first adopted by the University Council in 2018 following Elizabeth Broderick AO’s review of our University’s response to sexual harassment and sexual assault.
Reviews and Surveys
In February 2017, JCU engaged former Sex Discrimination Commissioner Elizabeth Broderick AO to comprehensively review the University’s sexual harassment and sexual assault policies and procedures, as well as the University’s culture.
Then Vice Chancellor, Professor Sandra Harding released the review in September 2017 and affirmed JCU's commitment to implementing strong and effective responses to sexual harassment and sexual assault, and fostering a community that features, at its core, respect, inclusion, and safety for all.
The Broderick Review Implementation Working Group was established in late 2017 and worked throughout 2018 to support JCU's response to the report. The Working Group was chaired by Distinguished Professor Helene Marsh.
Broderick Review Implementation Working Group Membership
Broderick Review Implementation Working Group Terms of Reference
As part of its Respect. Now. Always initiative, Universities Australia commissioned the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) to undertake the first national university student survey on sexual assault and sexual harassment.
The Change the Course report can be found on the AHRC website. JCU's table can be downloaded here. AHRC methodology report can be downloaded here.
Then James Cook University Vice Chancellor, Professor Sandra Harding, responded to the findings, and discussed the measures the University's taken to keep students and staff safe.
Almost 1200 students at JCU participated in the National Student Safety Survey in September 2021. The Report on the prevalence of sexual harassment and sexual assault among university students in 2021 was published on 23 March 2022 (see below for links).
The National Student Safety Survey report was published on 23 March 2022.
The James Cook University Infographic can be downloaded here.
The JCU Fact Sheet can be downloaded here.