Give Respect

The need for interventions across Australian universities

After the release of the 2017 Australian Human Rights Commission's report on sexual assault and harassment across the nations' universities, it became apparent that change within tertiary institutions was urgent.

However, the identification of this severe problem drew attention to it's existence within an even greater problem: peer-to-peer disrespect.

Rampant throughout schools, universities, and workplaces, peer-to-peer disrespect is defined as any form of intimidating behaviour that targets an individual or group. This behaviour can come in a range of forms, including physical, verbal and emotional abuse, exclusion, discrimination (racial, religious, cultural, sexual), predatory behaviour, and bullying.

Peer-to-peer disrespect is not exclusive to Monash. It occurs across universities throughout Australia, and effective interventions must be made to limit their development and harmful impact.

Co-creation with Summer Scholar students

A core feature of this educational intervention is the extensive involvement of Monash students to assist in the development of content.

The project's research team utilised a range of student groups, including focus groups, advisory boards, and students from the university's Summer Scholar program, to accurately develop detailed and relevant training.

The Summer Scholar research program is offered during the summer break, for students to engage with ongoing research projects. Students interested in further studies or employment within research and academia are encouraged to apply, with the outcomes of the program offering a variety of benefits to both the students and the research team they assist.

The Summer Scholars selected to work on the project were able to use their position as students to leverage communication and involvement with the wider student body, through their social networks, student society connections, and lack of association as an authoritative institution.

Communication with university students was further enhanced through facilitation by the Summer Scholars as the scholars were able to empathise with their peers, and elicit the trust required to receive more detailed and honest responses from students.