1. “An online course providing practical, institution-wide training on the first response to a disclosure, exploring legal boundaries, common misperceptions and the needs of survivors.”

2. Introduction Australian National University Charles Sturt University
Responding to Disclosures of Sexual Violence is an online course which will ensure all university staff and student leaders provide a consistent response across an institution. Developed in collaboration with an international range of higher education experts and professional practitioners, this course provides uniquely high-quality, interactive and comprehensive training on the first response to disclosures.
The course empowers staff and student leaders across a wide range of roles and departments to manage this sensitive and complex issue, providing them with the skills to respond appropriately, empathetically and confidently.
Developed in collaboration with:
Lead Advisor
Australian National University
Charles Sturt University
University of Greenwich
University of East Anglia
University of Newcastle, Australia
Professor Nicole Westmarland, Director of the Durham Centre for Research into Violence and Abuse; Professor of Criminology in the School of Applied Sciences; Fellow of the Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing.

3. Contributors
Advisors:
Dr Corinne Manning - Deputy Director Diversity & Inclusion, La Trobe University.
Professor Andrew McAuley -Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), Southern Cross University.
Author:
Kay Davies - Experienced consultant and trainer
Reviewers:
Professor Clare McGlynn – Professor of Law, Durham University
Dr Manuel Alonso –Director of Student Services, Loughborough University
Dr Alice Prochaska–Principal of Somerville College, University of Oxford
Dr Nicola Henry- Associate Professor & Vice-Chancellor's Principal Research Fellow Centre for Global Research, RMIT University

4. About the course Structure: Who is it for? Published: May 2017
minutes
Comprised of four modules:
Setting the context
Understanding sexual violence
Understanding and supporting survivors
Steps to take when responding
210 minutes of supplementary materials (5 workshop activities)
Who is it for?
Any staff member who could receive a disclosure from a student - such as personal tutors, academic staff, student services staff, academic support staff, wellbeing teams, counsellors, wardens in halls of residence, security teams, and student union staff.
This course is also relevant for student leaders.
Published: May 2017

5. Understanding sexual violence
Modules
Description
Syllabus
Setting the context
(10 mins approx.)
This module introduces the context key issues and statistics surrounding sexual violence in higher education and wider society.   
Sexual violence: Society and the student community
Normalisation
The misuse of social media
Understanding sexual violence
This module enables participants to understand what constitutes consent and to identify the legal definitions of sexual offences. It also challenges and breaks down common misperceptions around sexual violence.
Barriers to disclosing and reporting
The impact of sexual violence
Treatment and support options
Reacting to a disclosure
Understanding and supporting survivors
(30 mins approx.)
This module considers the emotional and behavioural impact of sexual violence, explores the reasons why survivors might not want to report an incident, and guides participants on how to react and respond to survivors appropriately and empathetically.
Steps to take when responding
(45 mins approx.)
This module provides participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to demonstrate best practices for responding to a disclosure, and to apply these to their own contexts and in line with their institutional policy. Participants will also learn to recognise when they may need support in dealing with a disclosure.
Creating an appropriate space
Care pathways
Internal reporting
External reporting
The alleged perpetrator
Preserving evidence
Recording the disclosures
Looking after yourself
Knowing your responsibilities

6. Course features
Interactive comprehension activities to inspire confidence and check understanding of key concepts and best practices, including support options and care pathways.
Animations to convey some of the common myths of sexual violence and the barriers to reporting.
Scenario-based activities to give users opportunities to apply key concepts and practices to realistic situations, whist demonstrating the dos and don’ts of this sensitive process.
Interviews and a video role play with professionals trained in responding to disclosures of sexual violence.
Customisable ‘Your context’ pods which can be populated with your own institutional policies, local support services details and key contacts.

7. Interactive activities
What does it look like?
Interactive activities
Video interviews

8. What does it look like?
Comic strips
Consent in the news

9. Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
Demonstrate an awareness of the issues and initiatives around sexual violence, both in higher education institutions and in wider society.
Define what constitutes consent and identify the legal definitions of sexual offences.
Dispel common myths and misconceptions around sexual violence.
React and respond to survivors appropriately, demonstrating empathy and establishing boundaries.
Explain the different support and reporting options available to survivors.
Demonstrate best practices for responding to a disclosure, and apply these to their context and in line with their institutional policy.
Recognise when they (the responder) may need support in dealing with a disclosure.

10. Support materials for Responding to Disclosures of Sexual Violence available from: