Safe Campus
Safe Campus at IMC: Fostering a Respectful, Safe and Inclusive Environment
At IMC, we are committed to creating a respectful, safe and inclusive environment where all students can thrive while pursuing their academic goals in Australia.
We believe that a healthy campus is one where students, staff, and the broader community feel respected and valued, regardless of gender, background, or identity. IMC encourages students to actively collaborate in maintaining this environment, demonstrating maturity, responsibility, and respect for fellow students, educators, IMC staff, and local businesses.
IMC is steadfast in its commitment to preventing gender-based violence, harassment, and any form of unlawful discrimination. We have zero tolerance for sexual assault, harassment, bullying, and discrimination, whether against or by students, and we take prompt corrective measures when violations occur. Our support services ensure that all students have access to assistance when needed.
In Case of Emergency:
If you are in immediate danger, please call the emergency services at 000 (police, fire, or ambulance).
To Report Sexual Assault/Harassment/Discrimination:
If you experience or witness sexual assault or harassment involving an IMC student or staff member, you can submit a formal report via complaints@imc.edu.au.
For Support and Counselling:
If you need support, please reach out to us by emailing counselling@imc.edu.au.
Why a Respectful Environment is Important
A respectful environment is key to fostering inclusivity, safety, and collaboration within our community. At IMC, we believe that respect forms the foundation for personal wellbeing and collective growth.
What is a respectful environment?
- It is a space where all individuals feel safe, valued, and heard, regardless of their background, beliefs, or experiences.
- It encourages open dialogue and the free exchange of ideas, while upholding a culture of tolerance and understanding.
- It ensures that everyone’s rights are protected, including academic freedom and freedom of speech, without fear of harassment or discrimination.
What can I do as an IMC community member to maintain and promote a respectful environment?
- Listen actively: Be open to the viewpoints of others and engage in conversations with empathy and understanding.
- Respect differences: Acknowledge and appreciate diversity in culture, beliefs, and ideas within the IMC community.
- Challenge disrespectful behavior: If you witness or experience inappropriate behavior, report it and offer support to those affected.
- Be inclusive: Ensure that all individuals, regardless of background, feel included and valued in your interactions.
- Engage constructively: When conflicts or differences arise, address them through respectful dialogue, aiming for solutions rather than divisions.
Say No to Hate and Discrimination
At IMC, we are committed to creating a campus environment that is free from hate, vilification, and discrimination. Acts of hate speech and prejudice not only harm the individuals targeted but also threaten the unity and integrity of our entire community. We strongly reject any form of behaviour that undermines inclusivity, tolerance, and respect. Our strength as a community comes from celebrating diversity and ensuring that everyone feels welcome and valued.
Hate speech and discrimination are not just personal attacks—they erode the trust and sense of belonging we strive to build at IMC. It is essential that we stand together against these actions to protect the safety, dignity, and wellbeing of all our members.
What to do if you experience or witness hate or discrimination:
- Report the incident: If you witness or experience hate speech, vilification, or discriminatory acts, please report it as soon as possible. Please email to complaints@imc.edu.au so they can be addressed promptly. We take all reports seriously and ensure they are handled promptly and confidentially.
- Seek support: We provide a range of confidential support services to assist anyone affected by hate or discrimination. Whether you need emotional support, counselling, or advice on how to proceed, our team is here to help. Reach out to counselling@imc.edu.au.
- Be an active bystander: If it’s safe, step in to support someone experiencing hate or discrimination. Sometimes, a simple act of solidarity—whether it’s offering words of support, guiding them to report the incident, or standing by their side—can make a huge difference. If you are unable to intervene directly, report the incident immediately to the appropriate channels.
Understanding and Preventing Gender-based Violence
At IMC, our mission extends beyond delivering academic knowledge—we are dedicated to fostering a culture of respect, integrity, and inclusivity within our community. This commitment applies not only within the classroom but to every interaction across our campus, preparing our students to be compassionate leaders and proactive agents of change in society.
By prioritising respect and inclusivity, IMC upholds its core values, setting a high standard of excellence that reflects in our students’ academic achievements and their contributions to the broader community. Together, we can build a more inclusive, respectful, and thriving environment for all.
As part of our commitment to creating a respectful and safe campus, IMC offers an online program titled “Understanding and Preventing Gender-Based Violence: Fostering an Inclusive Environment”, accessible via Moodle. This program is designed to equip you with essential knowledge and practical strategies to address, prevent, and respond to gender-based violence.
Gender-based violence (GBV) refers to harmful acts directed at an individual based on their gender. It is deeply rooted in gender inequalities, rigid norms, and systemic gender discrimination.
While GBV can affect people of all genders, it is predominantly directed towards women and girls. This predominance is largely because these acts are often committed by men against women, specifically because they are women, reflecting widespread gender-based power imbalances.
Gender-based violence can include physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological abuse and acts of family and domestic violence, sexual violence and sexual harassment.
Harassment is unwelcome behaviour that is based on distinguishing characteristics such as sex, age, race, religion, national origin, disability, or any other status protected by law. This behavior includes any actions, comments, or physical contact that are not desired by the recipient and that might reasonably be perceived as creating an uncomfortable, intimidating, or hostile environment.
Such conduct becomes especially problematic when it interferes with an individual’s performance by creating a work or educational setting that a reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile, or offensive.
Sexual harassment comes in many forms. From explicit grabbing to offhand comments, it’s defined as any unwanted behaviour that offends, disrespects, or threatens another person. That behaviour can be sexual, or it can be based on gender. It typically involves an abuse of power or positions of authority and can manifest in several ways:
Verbal Harassment: Includes unwelcome comments, jokes, advances, or propositions that are of a sexual nature.
Non-Verbal Harassment: Might consist of sexually suggestive gestures, leering, or displaying of sexually explicit images and symbols that create an offensive environment.
Physical Harassment: Involves unwanted physical contact such as touching, pinching, patting, or unnecessary closeness.
You don’t have to keep quiet if you’re experiencing gender-based violence. There are action steps you can take and laws designed to protect you. Knowing your options can give you the courage to speak up and pursue your right to a safe, inclusive, and comfortable environment.
Related IMC Policies and Procedures
External Support
1800 RESPECT (National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service)
- Phone: 1800 737 732
- Website: 1800respect.org.au
- A 24-hour national sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling service for any Australian who has experienced or is at risk of family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.
Lifeline Australia
- Phone: 13 11 14
- Website: lifeline.org.au
- Provides all Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
Kids Helpline
- Phone: 1800 55 1800
- Website: kidshelpline.com.au
- A free, private, and confidential 24/7 phone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25 in Australia.
The Sexual Assault & Family Violence Centre
- Phone: 1800 806 292
- Website: safvcentre.org.au
- Provides support for individuals experiencing sexual assault or family violence through crisis care and ongoing support services.
National Domestic Violence Hotline
- Phone: 1800 656 463
- Provides support to anyone in Australia who may be experiencing or at risk of domestic violence.
