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Ensuring all Adelaide University Sporting clubs are a safe, respectful, inclusive and supportive environment for all members, is a commitment of the University, Adelaide University Sport and all affiliated sport clubs. However, this can be challenging to achieve, particularly if traditional values and stereotypes prevail (such as winning at all costs, ‘what happens on the field stays on the field’, ‘those people won’t fit in’). Creating an inclusive club may require changing the club’s culture – a task that calls for strong leadership, appropriate policies and procedures and a commitment to change. 

There are several steps a club can take to create a welcoming and inclusive club including: 

  • Promoting the club to the broader community 

  • Encouraging people from all demographics to get involved at the committee level 

  • Planning and running inclusive events 

  • Encouraging members to undertake non-traditional roles 

  • Supporting volunteers by providing appropriate training (e.g. cultural or disability awareness training for coaches) 

  • Offer both competitive and social opportunities for participation 

  • Having flexible practices (e.g. modifying games or uniform requirements) 

  • Making participation affordable 

  • Displaying messages about expected standards of behaviour in prominent locations (e.g. in club rooms and change rooms, through newsletters and on the club website) 

  • Acting promptly to address any inappropriate behaviour (e.g. racist, sexist jokes, making fun of religious practices). 

Adelaide University Sport has a number of policies in place that outline acceptable behaviour of clubs and members including: 

  • Code of conduct 

  • Member protection 

  • Equal opportunity 

  • Club affiliation 

The policies describe practical steps we will take to eliminate discrimination, harassment and other forms of inappropriate behaviour from our activities. As part of this commitment, Adelaide University Sport will take disciplinary action against any person or organisation bound by this policy if they breach it. 

Respect. Now. Always. 

A safe and supportive club also means a club addressing issues of sexual harassment. Following the release of the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) Change the Course report on 1 August 2017, the University of Adelaide is determined to eradicate incidence of sexual harassment and sexual assault, and to support those affected. The University has a zero-tolerance approach, and we all have a role to play in providing a safe, respectful and world-class environment for learning and teaching. The University’s ‘Respect. Now. Always. Taskforce’ has developed an action plan. There is extensive information located here.

Unacceptable Behaviour 

Abuse is a form of harassment and includes physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, and abuse of power. Examples of abusive behaviour include bullying, humiliation, verbal abuse and insults. 
 
Bullying is repeated verbal, physical, social or psychological behaviour that is harmful and involves the misuse of power by an individual or group towards one or more persons. 
 
Discrimination occurs when someone is treated unfairly or less favourably than another person in the same or similar circumstances because of a particular personal characteristic. This is known as direct discrimination. Indirect discrimination occurs when a rule, policy or practice disadvantages one group of people in comparison with others, even though it appears to treat all people the same. 
 
Sexual harassment means unwanted, unwelcome or uninvited behaviour of a sexual nature which makes a person feel humiliated, intimidated or offended. Sexual harassment can take many different forms and may include unwanted physical contact, verbal comments, jokes, propositions, display of pornographic or offensive material or other behaviour that creates a sexually hostile environment. Sexual harassment is not behaviour based on mutual attraction, friendship and respect. If the interaction is between consenting adults, it is not sexual harassment. 

Acceptable Behaviour 

Sexual Respect 
Every member of our community has the right to feel safe, welcome and respected. The University is committed to making our campuses and our community safe – and free from sexual harassment, indecent assault and rape. 

Bystanders 
An active bystander is someone who not only witnesses a problematic situation but takes steps to speak up or step in to disrupt the situation or keep it from escalating. By being an active, responsible bystander, we can help the University create a safe and inclusive environment. It's important we all speak out for a safer community. 

When we witness behaviour that makes us uncomfortable, such as verbal, physical or sexual harassment, most of us want to do the right thing – make a positive intervention and say something to challenge that behaviour. But knowing what to do and feeling confident enough to step in can be difficult. The following are some easy tips to help you be a responsible, active bystander. 

Consent Matters Assessment 

To assist in preventing and responding to sexual harassment and sexual assault, the University’s Respect. Now. Always Taskforce agreed: 

  • By 2020, training in responding to disclosures of sexual assault is made mandatory for all committee members of AU Sports Clubs and AUU Clubs and Societies. 

As a pilot, all club committee members must undertake the University’s Consent Matters online education training. Please see below the process for staff, students and community members. 

Staff and student training 

Non-AU Staff and Student training 

Any committee member who is a current University staff member or student must provide evidence of completing the University's online training. 

The training which University of Adelaide staff and students need to undertake is not available to the general public (ie those not with a University 'a' ID number). So these committee members have a different assessment process to undertake 

University of Adelaide staff and students can enrol to access the online training here
  

Any committee members that are not staff or students will be required to familiarise themselves with the information regarding sex and consent, as well as bystander behaviour here

Once you have completed the above course, please provide a screenshot of the quiz scores as evidence of competition via the Completion Assessment link below. You will not be sent a certificate 

Once you have reviewed the information, please answer the questions included in the completion assessment which is linked below. 
 

Completion Assessment 

All committee members will need to provide evidence of completing the training or familiarising themselves with the information available on the University's website by completing and submitting the following form to Adelaide University Sport. 

Consent Matters Assessment

The University is committed to working with Adelaide University Union and Adelaide University Sport and Fitness to assist clubs to address their culture and preventing sexual harassment and assaults. We will seek your feedback on the above training, and we will work with the University to ensure the best approach is taken.

If you are affected by any of the topics discussed, there are some useful resources and support services listed on the University of Adelaide Resources page. 

Resources: