Consent is about saying “yes” and about respecting and accepting a person’s right to say “no”. Consent is required at every stage of being intimate with someone – asking for a dance, for a date, to hook up- and at any point of a relationship.

Affirmative consent is when the verbal and physical cues a person is giving you show that they are comfortable, consenting and keen to continue. It’s all about the proactive asking and giving of consent between people.

The most basic thing to remember is that consent is voluntary, enthusiastic and continuous.

But what does ‘without consent’ really mean? Being bullied, tricked or intimidated with words or violence into having sex or physical contact is coercive control and that’s non-consensual; so is having sex with someone who cannot clearly and freely give consent.

A “no” is still a ‘no’, but the absence of an enthusiastic and ongoing “yes” is a ‘no’ as well.

Forcing or coercing someone to have sex when they don’t want to or is not capable of consenting is sexual assault, regardless of the relationship between the perpetrator and victim. This includes minors (under the age of 17), people who are intoxicated, passed out or asleep, as well as those with a mental impairment that may inhibit them from being fully aware of what they are agreeing to.

We also strongly encourage you to complete the Consent and Respectful Relationships module to test your knowledge or get further clarification. Students can also earn Horizon Points for completing the module.

An active bystander is someone who, when noticing a situation that concerns them, does something about it – they are everyday superheroes. Maybe you’re looking out for your friends, maybe you’re calling them out when they are making an offensive comment towards another person. Each situation is different, but there are some basic things you can do in any scenario:

Notice the event: A friend showing you a nude that was sent to them privately, hearing someone making a homophobic, sexist or racist remark towards another person or group, or noticing a peer incessantly pursuing someone who is not interested – these are all situations where you might intervene.

Identify if it’s a problem: Interpreting an event as a problem requires judgement on your part, but as a guide, question whether the situation at hand makes you feel uncomfortable. Would you behave the same way? Would this kind of behaviour be okay if it were occurring to a friend or family member? If you are unsure about positively answering these questions, or the answer makes you feel uncomfortable, chances are this is a situation for intervention.

Take responsibility: In difficult situations we often assume that someone else will do something – surely the woman at the club has friends who will come to her aid – but if we all assume someone else will step in, nothing will happen.

Make a plan: There are a number of different ways to intervene and step in – either directly or indirectly – just remember to be respectful and mindful of your own safety and theirs in whatever approach you take, whether you decide to act in the moment or check-in with the person concerned after the fact to see how they feel.

Act: Choosing to not participate in a negative conversation or calling-out bad behaviour; derailing an incident from occurring by distracting the would-be perpetrator (i.e. ask for the time, directions, what drink they’re having); offering assistance to the victim by listening or helping them to report the incident – these are just some of the ways you can intervene and be an active bystander.

Being an active bystander does not always require you confront the situation yourself. You can contribute to defusing the situation by informing someone in a position of authority that an incident might be occurring – bar staff or campus security for example. 

Safety is paramount - you can contribute to defusing the situation by informing someone in a position of authority that an incident might be occurring – bar staff or campus security for example.

If you want to further educate yourself and help break the cycle, you can also complete the MATE Active Bystander awareness online module. Students can earn Horizon Award points for completing this module.

Without an explanation. Whether you’ve changed your mind. No matter how far into a sexual act you might be. Or how many times you’ve done it. Whether you’ve consented to one thing and not another.  

Sex should be about mutual pleasure so communication is key. Check in with the person you’re having sex with and make sure they are enjoying themselves and want to continue. You should also check in with yourself and think “do I feel comfortable?”. It’s ok to say so if something doesn’t feel right. If these signals aren’t pointing to a voluntary, and mutual yes, then it’s okay to say no. Consent is something you give, so it’s also something you can take back.

If the person doesn’t respect or understand why you want to say no, you might second guess becoming intimate or vulnerable with them.

Every person has the right to choose to have sex the way they want and to make that choice freely every time.

Reporting options are available whether you have experienced or witnessed gender-based violence on or off campus.

Making a report does not initiate a complaint.

It is the first step to offer you support and a chance to talk through your options.

If you need to report an incident, you can:

Make a report online

Make a report in person to our qualified counsellors and student equal opportunity advisors in the Health, Counselling and Disability Service.  Call them on 8201 2118 or send an email to studenteo@flinders.edu.au.

I’ve made a report through Flinders - what happens next?

If you have indicated that you would like to be contacted, they will contact you within 1 business day. They will discuss with you the support services available within and outside of the University, and the reporting options available to you. The choice of how to proceed with the report remains yours, for example you may request the University take protective or supportive action, and/or make a formal report to the University, and/or make an external report eg a police report, or you may decide to take no further action. A report is not a complaint, and making a report does not automatically initiate an investigation.

If you choose to remain anonymous, they may be limited in our ability to contact you or offer support.

If you submit a report online, you will receive an automatic acknowledgement including a report number. If you have provided an email address, this will also be emailed to you. 

If you decide to make a formal complaint to the University, complaints will be managed in accordance with section 3.4 of the Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault Response Procedures.

In case the University believes that your safety or the safety of the University community is at risk, it may initiate action. The action and the reasons for it will be explained to you.

Flinders University reports and reviews de-identified information about incidents of sexual harassment and sexual assault in order to reduce such incidents and improve our response. 

Flinders University is committed to providing a safe and respectful learning environment. There is no place for sexual assault or sexual harassment at our University.

If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment, or you are concerned about an incident or behaviour, contact us. We will be there to listen, provide information about options available to you and support you through the process.

We strongly encourage people who believe they may have witnessed sexual harassment or sexual assault or who have received a disclosure or report from another person to make a report. You can make a deidentified report. Further information about making a 3rd party report and supporting someone else, can be found in the Supporting someone else section on the Safety and Respect at Flinders website.

On campus Monday-Friday 8.45am - 5pm : Contact the free and confidential Counselling service on 8201 2118.

Weekdays 5 pm – 9 am, 24 hours on weekends and public holidays: Call the out of hours crisis support line 1300 512 409 or text 0488 884 103.

Flinders University counsellors have qualifications in psychology and social work and are highly experienced in a broad range of areas including sexual harassment, sexual assault, family and relationship issues, sexual diversity, drugs and alcohol, trauma, education, mental health, cross cultural counselling, and disability.

Further information about supports available can be found on the Supports page