{"id":15415,"date":"2022-05-23T08:00:28","date_gmt":"2022-05-22T22:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/library\/?p=15415"},"modified":"2022-05-20T11:42:36","modified_gmt":"2022-05-20T01:42:36","slug":"together-we-can-make-our-spaces-safe-and-welcoming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/library\/2022\/05\/23\/together-we-can-make-our-spaces-safe-and-welcoming\/","title":{"rendered":"Together we can make our spaces safe and welcoming"},"content":{"rendered":"

After two long years of lockdowns, restrictions and learning online, the easing of COVID restrictions from the start of 2022 has seen more of us returning to campus on a day-to-day basis. This means more people sharing common spaces, meeting up to work together, socialising and generally taking advantage of the physical learning environments and facilities that the Griffith campuses have to offer.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Our campus libraries are one such shared space where people come to study throughout the day. We aim to provide a comfortable and inclusive environment for students\u2014an environment where people of all backgrounds and lifestyles can feel welcome and be treated with respect. Everyone who walks through our doors should expect to feel safe. Unfortunately for some students, this has not been their experience.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Of the 998 Griffith students who participated in the <\/span>2021 National Student Safety Survey<\/span><\/a>, 20.2% reported experiencing sexual harassment since starting university. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"An<\/p>\n

An accessible format of this infographic is available <\/span><\/span>here<\/span><\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> <\/em><\/p>\n

This national student survey focused on sexual harassment and assault, but <\/span>any<\/span><\/i> kind of harassment, bullying or disrespectful behaviour should not be tolerated by our students and staff. All members of our University community have the right to be safe and feel safe, and the right to believe they will be treated with respect, dignity and fairness.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This includes all spaces where people may be interacting with one another, even online.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Library encourages all members of the Griffith community to call out, report and seek support if incidents of harassment or abuse occur. We also encourage supporting each other and being aware of how you can be a positive influence in our community.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Griffith has prepared a range of materials to help you understand how to become more aware and respectful of the diverse members of our community on the <\/span>Respectful Campus Communities<\/span><\/a> page.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For more information about how to seek support from the University and resources to help identify disrespectful behaviour, visit the <\/span>Safe Campuses<\/span><\/a> page<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How can I help?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you witness behaviour which is not OK, you may be able to help out by being an <\/span>active bystander<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0 Griffith students and staff can learn more about how to be an active bystander by completing the MATE Bystander program via <\/span>Learning@Griffith<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This training covers how you can safely:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n