Sexual Harassment and Bullying Drop by a Third After Online Reporting Introduced
A two-year study tracking over 3,200 students across 31 university houses at nine Australian colleges has found a significant decline in harmful behaviour following the adoption of a modern online reporting system.
Incidents of sexual harassment, bullying, and discrimination fell by approximately one-third after colleges implemented the timely reporting model. The study, conducted between 2025 and 2026, reported a 30% decrease in sexual harassment, a 23% decrease in bullying, and a 33% decrease in discrimination among returning students.
The reporting system, called RespectX, is a mobile app that allows students to report concerns, including anonymously.
"An increase in reports often reflects growing trust in institutions rather than worsening behaviour."
Before the model was introduced, only 13.6% of students who experienced harmful behaviour reported it. One year later, that percentage rose to 21.2% — a 56% increase.
University Colleges Australia chief executive Lisa Sutherland noted that higher reporting rates are a positive sign. "An increase in reports often reflects growing trust in institutions rather than worsening behaviour," she said. Sutherland confirmed that more than half of Australia's residential colleges have adopted the platform over the past year.
The system encourages reporting of lower-level incidents, allowing colleges to intervene before more serious misconduct occurs.
Colleges using the platform include:
- Ormond, University College, St Hilda's (University of Melbourne)
- Emmanuel, King's (University of Queensland)
- St Ann's (Adelaide)
- St Andrew's and Wesley (University of Sydney)
Sutherland added that the anonymous reporting feature aligns with new national reforms.
RespectX co-founder Sally Calder said that despite extensive prevention programs, harmful conduct had not materially reduced until now. She noted that most reports are not serious misconduct but rather earlier warnings about uncomfortable behaviour.
A 2017 Australian Human Rights Commission report found widespread sexual assault and harassment at universities. A 2021 National Student Safety Survey revealed that one in six students had experienced sexual harassment since starting university. The survey also found that about half of students knew little about how to formally report sexual assault.
Assistant Minister for International Education Julian Hill described the positive effect of the reporting systems as “terrific.”