Rift on campus sexual violence threatens university chief

Financial Review 16 August 2023

Universities will have to take advice from an external working group on how to manage sexual violence on their campuses as rising tensions threaten to bring down the head of peak body Universities Australia, writes Julie Hare for the Financial Review.

The university sector is embroiled in a mud-slinging match with politicians and anti-sexual violence groups who are accusing them of inaction and mismanagement of sexual assault cases on campuses. The debate is now threatening the career of Catriona Jackson, chief executive of Universities Australia, after it was revealed at least one vice-chancellor is pushing for her removal.

Jackson hit the spotlight in late July when it was revealed a AU$1.5 million (US$958 million) anti-sexual violence campaign funded by taxpayers never eventuated. The saga took on a new turn last week when Education Minister Jason Clare announced the appointment of Patty Kinnersly, head of anti-violence organisation Our Watch, to a working group that will “provide advice on how universities can create safer campuses for students and staff”.
Full report on the Financial Review site

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