Students and community groups are organising a rally to campaign against plans proposed by the University of Wollongong (UOW) to redesign the only on-campus support for survivors of sexual assault, harassment, bullying and violence.
The Safe and Respectful Communities (SARC) service is currently under review, with students warning that its closure would silence survivors, leave those in crisis without support, and put lives at risk.
The Wollongong Undergraduate Students’ Association (WUSA) has launched the Save SARC campaign, urging students and the wider community to take action.
WUSA said staff and students had received an email outlining draft proposals to change SARC.
Backing the campaign, the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre praised SARC’s trusted and compassionate team, calling its work “remarkable.”
In a submission to UOW, the Centre stressed that SARC’s autonomy and expertise cannot be replaced by a “simpler, quicker” model, warning that once trust is lost in this sector, it is “very difficult to rebuild.”
The Centre’s Executive Director, Sally Stevenson, added: “UOW has a precious asset with the SARC team that, from the perspective of victim-survivors and community organisations such as ours, it can’t afford to lose.”
The Centre also pointed to SARC’s crucial role in prevention and education through programs such as racism bystander intervention training and relationship red flag workshops.
With sexual assault reports in NSW rising 24% in the last year, they said services like SARC are more critical than ever.
A statement from the University of Wollongong stated that there were no plans to disestablish SARC, and consultation on the draft proposals would continue with students and staff.
“The proposals have been developed in a context of significant national reforms, including the newly introduced codes for preventing and responding to gender-based violence, the establishment of a National Student Ombudsman and strengthened national requirements for managing psychosocial hazards,” it said.
“UOW is committed to robustly meeting these new government requirements.
“The proposals are not aimed at cost savings or headcount reductions, and no services will be disestablished. Instead, they redesign the way services are delivered to provide a more cohesive, consistent and improved experience for our staff and students, reflecting our commitment to building a more strategic, inclusive and responsive University.”
The consultation period is open until 28 October, and the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre is urging community members to make their voices heard.
“We urge our local community to let UOW leadership know their strength of feeling. SARC is an essential, trusted service and must be protected,” Ms Stevenson said.
How you can support
WUSA has outlined ways supporters can get involved:
- Lodge complaints with UOW directly: https://bpsproxy.uow.edu.au/bpmproxy/app/submit-complaint
- Email Federal Education Minister Jason Clare: jason.clare.mp@aph.gov.au
- Email Federal Member for Cunningham Alison Byrnes: alison.byrnes.mp@aph.gov.au
- Attend the snap rally on Thursday, October 16, at UOW, Building 20, Northfields Ave, Keiraville.
Suggested wording for your email:
Dear Minister Clare/Ms Byrnes
I am deeply concerned about UOW’s proposals to redesign the Safe and Respectful Communities (SARC) service.
As the only specialised, on-campus support for survivors of sexual assault, harassment, bullying and violence, SARC is vital to student safety and wellbeing.
I urge the UOW to protect and properly resource this service.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I would appreciate any information you can provide regarding UOW’s plans for SARC and any steps being taken to address this issue.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]