NTU is a great place to learn, work and live. We all have a part to play to ensure that this positive picture includes everyone, not just the people we know, like or relate to easily.

Dignity and respect are really important foundations for this: all students and staff are expected to treat others with respect and can expect respect from others in return.

The pyramid diagram on this page shows how negative behaviours are a consequences of the underlying attitudes and beliefs people unconsciously hold. By taking responsibility to challenge negative attitudes as a community, we can prevent the more serious negative behaviours from occurring.

Respect at NTU: Give it. Get it. Expect it.

Attitudes and beliefs

Our attitudes and beliefs dictate how we behave, speak, prioritise and live our lives.

They aren’t always conscious. They are formed based on things like our personal experiences and social stereotypes, but they all impact our actions. 

Problematic language

Problematic language includes sexist, homophobic, biphobic, and transphobic taunts as well as harmful 'banter'.

Whether it’s intentional or not, it can have damaging consequences for the people it’s directed at, so it’s important to consider the language we and the people around us use.

Harassment, abuse and threats

Sexual harassment is any sexually motivated behaviour that is unwanted and makes you feel uncomfortable, intimidated, or humiliated. This can include but is not limited to:

• Wolf whistling
• Groping
• Sexual comments and "jokes"
• Displaying/sharing photos of a sexual nature
• Sending emails and messages with a sexual content

Rape and sexual assault

A sexual assault is any sexual act that a person did not consent to or is forced into against their will. It is a form of sexual violence and includes rape or other sexual offences. People of all gender identities and sexual orientations can be victims of sexual assault, and perpetrators are not just strangers – they can be friends, family members or partners.

NTSU has a zero-tolerance approach to sexual violence as outlined in our Sexual Violence Policy. 

For more information on any of these issues, see the other pages in this section of our website.

What you can do

Find out more information about your options

The NTU Dignity and Respect Policy outlines the expectations of what a respectful environment at NTU should look like

Report it

The Student Code of Behaviour (SCOB) sets out the standards of behaviour expected from students and the procedures that will be followed if those standards are not met. 

Look for ways to safely challenge negative attitudes and behaviour:

• "I really wasn't comfortable with how you spoke to our flatmate earlier."
• "I heard what you said about the girls in our flat. It made me feel really uncomfortable. I don't think it's okay to talk about people like that. Why don't you get to know them a bit?"

If something you have witnessed or experienced is affecting you, see our Get Help page for a list of services you can contact.