Your safety at Swinburne
We’ve worked hard to create a safe, accepting and vibrant community to ensure Swinburne remains a place where everyone feels respected – we aim to keep it that way. By promoting a safe environment, we can ensure our students, staff and visitors feel supported during their time with us.
Need emergency assistance?
If you or someone you know is hurt or in immediate danger:
- call the emergency services on 000
- call Swinburne Security on +61 3 9214 3333 for 24-hour assistance including non-life-threatening incidences.
Report it to Safer Community (non-emergency support)
If you, or someone you know, is being affected by inappropriate, concerning or threatening behaviour, Safer Community wants to know. Report an incident online or email safercommunity@swinburne.edu.au.
The Safer Community team is here to help if you have experienced or witnessed inappropriate, concerning or threatening behaviour. Some of these behaviours include sexual assault and sexual harassment, bullying and cyber harm, discrimination and harassment, stalking, and family violence. You can report an incident online to Safer Community or email safercommunity@swinburne.edu.au.
Swinburne Security is another key service to keep you safe. Our Security professionals maintain a presence on campus 24/7 for the security of all Swinburne students, staff and visitors.. Security provides a night bus service and a security escort service to walk you to your car and public transport. Click on the Security tab below to find tips on staying safe on and off campus and information on what to do in an emergency.
Safer Community
Our Safer Community team offers advice, support, intervention and risk management for students who have experienced or witnessed inappropriate, concerning or threatening behaviour. We aim to identify problem behaviour early to minimise risks to the safety and wellbeing of yourself and others.
Inappropriate, concerning or threatening behaviour includes any behaviour that:
- makes you feel threatened or unsafe
- causes you concern about a person harming themselves or someone else
- makes you feel uneasy or get the sense that something is not quite right.
Some specific types of behaviour you should report to Safer Community include:
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Bullying
Bullying is repeated, unreasonable behaviour directed at an individual or group that creates a risk to their health and safety.
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Cyber harassment
If you’re being harassed online or fall victim to a cybercrime Swinburne can support you in resolving the matter.
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Sexual assault and sexual harassment
Sexual assault occurs when a person is forced, coerced or tricked into sexual acts against their will or without their consent.
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Discrimination, harassment and vilification
At Swinburne, we take a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination, harassment and vilification based on a person’s background or personal characteristics.
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Self-harm and suicidal behaviours
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal tendencies or is self-harming call Lifeline on 13 11 14 for 24/7 support or learn more about the private and confidential services we offer at Swinburne.
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Stalking
Stalking occurs when someone repeatedly imposes unwanted communication and/or contact on a person that causes them to feel fear or distress.
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Family violence
The Family Violence Protection Act (2008) describes family violence as physically, sexually, emotionally or financially abusive behaviour towards a family member.
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Dangerous extremist views – risk to university experience and culture
At Swinburne, we take a zero-tolerance approach to expressing or promoting views in an unacceptable or potentially dangerous manner.
Reporting an incident to Safer Community
If you, or someone you know at Swinburne, is affected by inappropriate, concerning or threatening behaviour you can can report it to Safer Community through the online reporting form. You’ll receive advice and support and can choose to report anonymously.
You can also contact Safer Community via safercommunity@swinburne.edu.au. When reporting problem behaviour, it’s important that you provide as much information as you feel comfortable. The more information you provide (i.e. who, what, where and when), the more fully Safer Community can investigate.
What happens when you report an incident?
Safer Community will assess the information you provide in your report and determine the most appropriate response.
The response may include:
- gathering additional information and conducting further investigations
- contacting you for more information or to provide an update
- developing an action plan to support impacted persons and manage further risks
- making contact with the person in question
- providing referrals to internal or external specialist support services upon consent from the impacted parties
- providing recommendations for misconduct sanctions
- recording the information.
- All information, including your contact details will be kept confidential.
- In exceptional circumstances, confidentiality may be broken. This may occur in situations where Safer Community staff believe you to be a direct danger to yourself or others.
- You may report anonymously, but you will not receive any update on your report. It’s important to note that it is difficult to verify or investigate anonymous reports as gathering all the information that may be required is challenging.
- Safer Community values your privacy.
Safety through prevention
Safer Community is involved in and supports a range of awareness and training initiatives aimed at preventing unacceptable behaviour and creating a safe and respectful university community.
Become an active bystander
Although the Security team maintain a 24-hour presence on campus, they cannot be everywhere at once. If you feel it is safe to do so, you should step in as an active bystander if you see somebody being subjected to inappropriate, concerning or threatening behaviour.
Remember to assess the situation carefully to decide whether it is safe to intervene.
- Ask the person who is being impacted if they are okay and whether they need help.
- Interrupt the behaviour by telling the threatening person to stop in an assertive tone.
- Bring other people’s attention to the situation and consider intervening as a group.
- Do not engage in violence.
If the interaction is taking place online, you can also attempt to call the behaviour out if you feel safe to do so.
- Ask the person being impacted if they are okay or need help. This could be through a direct message (DM).
- Take a screen shot of the inappropriate interaction.
- Call out the behaviour. You can keep it simple with (*thumbs down emoji*) or be more specific if the behaviour contravenes the rules of the platform in use.
- Report inappropriate behaviour to the platform manager, Safer Community or the eSafety Commissioner.
- Do not engage in name-calling or bullying behaviour.
For further information on calling out poor online behaviour, visit the eSafety Commissioner website. Please also refer to our IT acceptable use guidelines.
Help without intervening in the situation
- Get help from somebody with authority, by calling the Police (000) or Security +61 3 9214 3333.
- Afterwards, listen and support the person affected.
- Encourage them to seek help and report the behaviour.
Respect. Now. Always.
At Swinburne, we’re committed to the Respect. Now. Always. national initiative, a world-first, long-term commitment made by all 39 universities in Australia that aims to prevent sexual violence and improve how universities respond to and support those who’ve been affected by sexual assault or sexual harassment.
Your feedback is important
At Swinburne, we’ve worked hard to create a safe, accepting and vibrant community. If we've helped you in some way, or if there's something we can improve on, we'd love to hear from you.
Report it to Safer Community
If you, or someone you know, is being affected by inappropriate, concerning or threatening behaviour, Safer Community wants to know. Report an incident online or email safercommunity@swinburne.edu.au.
Feel safe and secure on campus
Your safety is of the utmost importance to us, which is why we have 24/7 patrolling security professionals on and around campus, CCTV, and electronic key passes ensuring only authorised students and staff can access specific buildings.
Security services
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Night Bus service to Hawthorn
At Swinburne, we offer a night bus service to the Hawthorn campus. The night bus operates at 30-minute intervals during semester periods to ensure you get to and from the campus safely. This service can drop you off safely wherever you request, within the boundaries of Cotham Road, Burke Road, Riversdale Road and Power Street.
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Lost, damaged or stolen property
If you’ve lost a personal item, it may have been handed into lost property. Contact your campus security office in Hawthorn, Croydon or Wantirna. You can also report stolen or damaged property to campus security.
Safety tips around campus
Located in busy suburbs, our campuses can be hives of activity. Although we have 24/7 security personnel, they can’t be everywhere at once.
Here are a few safety tips to ensure you stay safe on and around campus:
- Always be alert and aware of your surroundings. Do not cross roads, tram lines, or busy intersections while on your phone or mobile device. Ensure it’s in your pocket or in your bag. If you’re using earphones, only use one earplug so you can hear sounds around you.
- Always keep your valuables with you. Do not leave your items unattended.
- Walk in well-lit areas in pairs or groups if possible. Use the security escort service (+61 3 9214 3333) or the Night Bus to get to your car or public transport safely.
- Avoid parking your car in an isolated area. Close and lock all doors and windows and don’t leave valuables in sight in your car.
- If you’re waiting for the train at Glenferrie Station, ensure you stand behind the yellow line on the platform.
- Keep your belongings close to you and within your view.
- Always be aware of your surroundings and the people around you, i.e. don’t look at your phone for extended periods or while crossing roads.
- Keep your valuables out of sight of others, e.g. keep your phone zipped up in bag.
- Always bring your phone or a phone card with you.
- Leave valuables at home if you don’t need them, e.g. passport, iPad etc.
- Do not engage with strangers.
- Take note of the safety features around you, i.e. CCTV, police officers and security staff.
- If using headphones, keep the volume low so you can hear what’s going on around you.
- Don’t carry large amounts of cash.
- Check timetables before your journey to avoid long waits.
- If you’re travelling alone, let someone know your travel schedule.
- Sit nearest to the driver on trams and buses, and nearest to the emergency button on trains.
- Avoid isolated stops.
- Approach a Protective Services Officer (PSO) for safety advice or in an emergency.
- If you feel uncomfortable, get up and move away.
- Pre-plan your trip to your destination and home, e.g. book an Uber or taxi in advance, or check the public transport timetable.
- Do not hitchhike or accept rides from strangers.
Need to contact security?
Campuses in Victoria
If you have concerns about your own or someone else’s safety on campus, Swinburne University's security team is available to help.
You can request services such as a security escort to your vehicle, ensuring a safe trip to your car, or report any issues related to personal safety. The security team is there to help with a variety of issues, from suspicious activity to lost property or general safety concerns.
Sarawak campus
Swinburne University Sarawak offers 24/7 campus security, with CCTV monitoring and on-campus security officers. For emergencies, dial 999 for police, ambulance or fire services. Alternatively, you can dial 082 – 260991 to contact campus security.
The security team can also assist with lost property and offer safety tips such as staying alert, keeping valuables secure, and avoiding isolated areas at night.
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What to do in an emergency
Whether you’re in Australia, in your home country, or studying overseas, at Swinburne, we provide support for you if you’re affected by an emergency. Learn more about what to do in an emergency.
We have security offices at all three of our Victorian campuses to ensure your safety and security.
Hawthorn campus:
Building 1A, entry alongside the Glenferrie Railway Station
Croydon campus:
Building CO, entry from Norton Road. Near Gate 1A
Wantirna campus:
Building WF
We’re committed to the health and safety of our contractors, suppliers, vendors and visitors.
Learn more about our induction requirements and guidelines.
To create a safe environment for our students under the age of 18 and for the children of our staff, students and visitors, Swinburne has implemented the Victorian Safe Child Standards.
Learn more about Child safety and our commitment.
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Mobile apps
From our learning management system, Canvas, to the Swinburne app equipped with class timetables, campus maps, security information and live support from StudentHQ, these apps will help you navigate university life on the go.
Call Swinburne security
For on-campus emergencies, suspicious behaviour or personal safety concerns, contact the Swinburne security team by calling +61 3 9214 3333 from any Swinburne phone.