INTERVIEW: Fair Agenda's Renee Carr on agreement to establish student safety ombudsman

Advocates for university student sexual assault survivors have welcomed the agreement from education ministers to legislate and establish a student safety ombudsman to investigate student complaints and resolve disputes with universities.

Renee Carr is the executive director of Fair Agenda - one of the advocacy groups along with End Rape on Campus Australia, The STOP Campaign, National Union of Students - that helped to develop the action plan announced by education ministers. Source: Supplied

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Advocates have welcomed the government's announcement that it will establish a national student ombudsman to address sexual assault on university campuses throughout Australia.

The Ombudsman will deal with student complaints and recommend whether a provider take specific steps to resolve the complaint, while a National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence will also be created.

Renee Carr from Fair Agenda says survivors and campaigners have been fighting for definitive change for a long time.

She spoke with Biwa Kwan.

In this interview, Renee Carr talks about:

• The difference establishing standards and an ombudsman would make to student safety
• Preventative measures to change attitudes and culture to promote student safety
• The prevalence of sexual assault at universities and who is impacted

Listeners seeking counselling and support can contact 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732), the National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service on 1800 211 028, Lifeline on 13 11 14, or beyondblue on 1300 224 636.