Universities

Tackle sexual harassment and assault on campus with speak-up

Elker equips higher education institutions with the tools to protect the safety and well-being of their students and staff. 

Elker's iOS and Android apps for anonymous reporting in the workplace
Features

Secure reporting. Clear insights. Data-driven change.

Anonymous reporting

Receive truly anonymous disclosures from students and staff. End-to-end encryption allows for the protection of the reporter's identity.

Product showcase: Speak-up reporting system disclosure intake

Efficient triage and case management

Save countless hours of case management with automated routing, categorisation and alerts. Streamline the entire process of handling reports, from investigation to resolution.

Product showcase: Performance and Conduct Static

Real-time analytics with de-identified data

Identify trends in reported incidents, enabling proactive initiatives to enhance campus safety. Customise analytics dashboards to analyse specific times, departments, or types of incidents, providing a detailed understanding of campus safety.

Product showcase: psychosocial hazards and risks identified

Post-incident surveys

Automate follow-up surveys to understand how the resolution process was managed. Use survey data to continually refine and improve your approach to handling incidents.

Product showcase: Feedback and suggestions

Security and data protection for students and staff

  • ISO 27001 certified
  • SOC2 attested
  • AES-256 encryption for data in transit and at rest
  • Regional data hosting to meet local data privacy requirements
  • Third-party security audits and penetration testing
ISO 27001 CertifiedSOC 2 Verified
GDPR Certified

The prevalence of sexual assault in Australian universities

1 in 20
Students
have been sexually assaulted in Australian universities
1/3
Universities
have implemented transparent measures and reporting processes
4.5%
Incidents
were formally reported
Speak-up software is essential for universities to combat sexual harassment and assault on campus. Elker facilitates the early detection of issues by providing a secure and anonymous platform for reporting incidents.

The prevalence of sexual assault in Australian universities: a call to action

Hero image: Speak up system for employees to report issues in the workplace

The 2021 National Student Safety Survey (NSSS) paints a grim picture of the prevalence of sexual harassment and assault in Australian universities. Nearly one-third of university students have experienced sexual assault at least once in their lifetime, with 4.5% experiencing it in a university context since starting their studies. The rates are alarmingly higher among female, transgender, and non-binary students. Sexual harassment is also rampant, affecting one in two students at least once in their lifetime.

Reporting rates are dismally low, with only 3.0% of students who experienced sexual harassment and 5.6% who experienced sexual assault making a formal report to their university. The reasons for not reporting are varied, including the belief that their experience wasn't serious enough or would be too hard to prove. Those who did report had mixed experiences with the university's reporting or complaint processes, leading to a lack of trust in the system. The National Student Safety Survey underscores the need for comprehensive and urgent action.

In 2023, the Respect at Work Bill came into effect, mandating a new positive duty in the Sex Discrimination Act. Universities must eliminate all sexual harassment and sex-based discrimination on campus. Universities must acknowledge the role of gender and other intersecting factors in driving sexual harassment and assault. They must take proactive measures to improve inclusivity and create safe learning environments, especially for vulnerable groups such as gender and sexuality-diverse students, and those with disabilities. The time for change is now; universities have a legal and moral responsibility to act.

Frequently asked questions

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