Status and Details

This page provides information about this version of this document, including:

Its status (whether it is current, historic, or comes into effect in the future);
Approval, effective (implementation), and expiry dates;
Relevant staff and their contact details; and
A summary of changes from the previous version.

Gender-based Violence Response Procedure

Show Field Notes

Status	Current	Indicates if this version of the document is in effect (Current), yet to come into effect (Future), or expired (Historic).
Effective Date	16th December 2025	This is the date on which this version of the document came into effect.
Review Date	16th December 2026	The next review of this document is scheduled to commence on this date.
Approval Authority	Vice-Chancellor	The noted authority approved this is version of the document.
Approval Date	16th December 2025	This is the date on which this version of the document was approved by the authorised authority.
Expiry Date	Not Applicable	This is the date on which this version expires. It may still apply, conditionally, after this date.
Implementation Officer	Peta Preo Director People and Culture	This is the officer generally responsible for day to day administrative matters.
Responsible Executive	Fiona Coulson Provost	This is the senior officer with responsibility for the document.
Enquiries Contact	Peta Preo Director People and Culture People and Culture	General enquiries should be directed to the officer/area listed.

Summary of Changes from Previous Version

The procedure was reviewed and amended to ensure full compliance with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence. The changes are summarised as follows:
- Emphasised a victim centered, safety first and trauma informed approach to handling disclosures of gender-based violence.
- Procedure renamed the Gender-Based Violence Response Procedure from the Sexual Violence Prevention Policy.
- The National Code definition of gender-based violence was adopted.
- Key terms such as 'respondent,' victim-survivor' and 'trauma-informed' defined.
- Scope of application broadened to include contexts outside the University but where the respondent or victim-survivor is a member of the CDU community, and third party providers.
- Clearly outlined the options available to victim-survivors which the University may take to respond to gender-based violence. This includes formally reporting and investigating a matter which may lead to disciplinary action. It also may include non-disciplinary actions proportionate to the incident.
- Added text to clarify that members of the public may make disclosures via the channels outlined where the respondent is a member of the University community.
- References to the Privacy and Confidentiality Policy added and confidentiality requirements emphasised throughout the document.
- Added specific timeframes and metrics around response and investigation lengths, risk assessments, keeping disclosers and respondents informed, and appeals timeframes.
- Added a section on support available for respondents.
- Added obligations of employees to declare intimate personal relationships which may pose a conflict of interest.
- Added new clauses pertaining to student accommodation including the additional obligations on employees of student accommodation and potential protective actions available to victim-survivors in University accommodation.
- Articulated that non disclosure agreements will not be used unless at the request of the victim-survivor.
- Clarified that extensions to investigation and appeal timeframes must be approved by the Vice-Chancellor.
- Added a clause advising that CDU will not request to see evidence of physical injuries resulting from gender-based violence.
- Articulated that employees required to make declarations about intimate personal relationships are protected by anti-discrimination laws and these declarations must be managed in accordance with the Privacy and Confidentiality Policy and the Conflicts of Interest Policy and Procedure.
- Elaborated on the clause advising that victim survivors have the right to withdraw a report to say that CDU may enquire as to the reasons for withdrawing - where it is suspected they are being manipulated by the respondent.
- Removed �~facilitated discussions’ between the victim-survivor and the respondent as a possible non-disciplinary action.
- Reordered existing clauses for improved document flow.
- Wording amendments throughout for cohesion.

Clauses Amended:Procedure: All