An open letter urges government action to combat university sexual violence.

End Rape on Campus and Fair Agenda have joined forces to issue an urgent call to the Australian government, demanding swift intervention to address the alarming prevalence of sexual violence on university campuses. 

A review found that less than one-third of the country's 39 universities are transparently reporting incidents of sexual violence.

To rectify this, the organisations, along with the National Union of Students and over 40 supporting groups and individuals, have urged the establishment of an independent body specializing in sexual violence prevention and response.

In addition to providing universities with expert guidance on best practices, the proposed oversight body would also enforce transparency and hold institutions accountable, imposing sanctions in cases of noncompliance. 

The urgency of this issue was underscored by the National Student Safety Survey's 2021 report, which exposed a staggering 14,300 annual cases of sexual assault within university contexts, averaging 275 assaults per week.

Universities Australia, the peak body representing the country's institutions, responded to previous reports by implementing a 10-point action plan. 

However, less than 33 per cent of universities have made relevant information easily accessible to students, with some institutions failing to publish it altogether, according to reports. 

Consequently, many students remain unaware of where to lodge complaints or seek support.

The government's forthcoming Universities Accord Interim Report, part of a comprehensive 12-month review, is meant to address the sector's challenges. 

The Albanese government says it aims to enact substantial reforms in higher education, and the report will provide recommendations and performance targets.