Australian university students have detailed harrowing accounts of sexual harassment and assault in a national survey into the prevalence of the problem on campus.
The survey of 43,819 students found one in six students had been sexually harassed since starting at university and one in 12 had been sexually harassed in the past 12 months.
About half of all students had experienced sexual harassment in their lifetime.
One in 20 students had been the victim of a sexual assault since starting university.
Women, non-binary and transgender students were more likely to have been victims of sexual assault and harassment.
One in two students indicated they knew little or nothing about their university's formal complaint and reporting process for sexual harassment and assault.
Perpetrators of sexual assault in Australian universities were largely male (85.7 per cent) and were other students (71.2 per cent).
Students aged 22-24 were more likely to have been sexually assaulted in a university context than other students, but younger students aged 18-21 were more likely to have experienced a sexual assault in the past 12 months.
One in 20 students living in student accommodation or residences had experienced sexual assault in the past 12 months.
Survey respondents detailed a wide range of behaviour, including harassing text messages, suggestive comments, catcalling, unwanted touching and rape.
Sexual harassment most commonly occurred in the general campus area while sexual assault mostly occurred in clubs and societies' events and spaces or in student accommodation.
The 2021 National Student Safety Survey was funded by Universities Australia and conducted by the Social Research Centre.
It follows a landmark prevalence report by the Australian Human Rights Commission in 2016.
The statistics have slightly reduced since the 2016 survey, however the 2021 survey occurred while many students were studying remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Universities Australia chair Professor John Dewar said the situation was unacceptable.
"To every single university student who has experienced sexual harassment or sexual assault, or has a friend, family member or loved one who has - I am sorry," Professor Dewar said.
"I am sorry for what you endured. I am sorry for how that may have affected your relationships, your mental health, your studies and your life."
Professor Dewar reaffirmed the sector's commitment to meaningful cultural and behavioural change.
Universities Australia chief executive Catriona Jackson said university leaders and student leaders had undergone training to respond to disclosures with compassion.
A respect campaign will be rolled out in O-Week next year and the peak body will work with the E-Safety Commissioner on an online safety campaign.
"We have a solemn and serious commitment to try to make sure that rates of harassment and assault in our institutions are reduced," Ms Jackson said.
Individual universities will release their own campus-specific survey data.
- For support regarding sexual assault, domestic or family violence and abuse, contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or at 1800respect.org.au/
- For crisis support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au/