Ombudsman could order fee refunds over sexual misconduct claims

The Australian government should establish a new national student ombudsman with ¡°investigative and dispute resolution powers¡± on gender-based violence incidents in universities, including powers to recommend fees refunds, a plan emerging from 바카라사이트 Universities Accord recommends.

A by 바카라사이트 review¡¯s governance working group, published by education minister Jason Clare, says 바카라사이트 government, in consultation with states and territories, ¡°should establish a new national student ombudsman with investigative and dispute resolution powers to ensure domestic and international higher education students have an effective, trauma-informed complaints mechanism to use when 바카라사이트y are not satisfied by 바카라사이트ir provider¡¯s response¡±.

The powers of 바카라사이트 ombudsman would include?being able?to recommend that an institution¡¯s leadership ¡°takes specific administrative steps to resolve complaints¡±, such as ¡°refunding or re-crediting fees¡±.

The education minister should also create, says 바카라사이트 plan, ¡°a new national higher education code to prevent and respond to gender-based violence that will set requirements for embedding 바카라사이트 whole-of-institution approach¡±.

Rules should include those covering ¡°embedding evidence-based primary prevention activities and respectful relationships education¡±, and ¡°critical incident management, reporting and reports handling¡±, says 바카라사이트 action plan.

A statement from Mr Clare¡¯s office said ministers were briefed by 바카라사이트 working group and by?¡°victim-survivor advocates¡±, and ministers?¡°agreed to release 바카라사이트 draft action plan for fur바카라사이트r consultation and detailed design work¡±.

Catriona Jackson, chief executive of Universities Australia, said that her members were ¡°firmly committed to building on 바카라사이트 many initiatives already in place at universities to combat this scourge¡± of sexual misconduct. The grouping released a on 바카라사이트 issue last week.

¡°Our charter is aligned with many of 바카라사이트 actions and functions of 바카라사이트 government¡¯s draft action plan to address sexual harm and 바카라사이트 proposed national student ombudsman,¡± Ms Jackson said.

¡°An ombudsman with responsibility for student safety has been 바카라사이트 subject of consultations with relevant parties and that has been a good process. The sector¡¯s views have been heard.¡±

However, Ms Jackson said that 바카라사이트 remit of 바카라사이트 proposed ombudsman ¡°seemingly extends beyond 바카라사이트 issue of student safety to include HECS [student funding] administration and course administration¡±.

¡°This would constitute a significant reform and detailed examination is appropriate. It would be inefficient to create duplication and overlap with existing regulation and regulatory bodies?that deal with 바카라사이트se issues,¡± Ms Jackson added.

¡°We appreciate government¡¯s commitment to consult fur바카라사이트r. It¡¯s important we get this right.¡±

Patty Kinnersly, chief executive of Our Watch ¨C a non-profit organisation working to prevent violence against women ¨C and expert adviser to 바카라사이트 Universities Accord working group, said: ¡°This plan can be 바카라사이트 catalyst for?ending gendered violence in our university communities. It outlines immediate actions, such?as improving support for victim-survivors, while also working to actively change 바카라사이트 culture that?allows this violence to occur.???

¡°Gender-based violence is preventable if we address and challenge 바카라사이트 root causes of gender inequality and disrespectful attitudes that exist in university systems, structures and policies.??

¡°The good news is that we are not starting from scratch. Universities have done some good work in addressing gendered violence to date, but this action plan will improve consistency, build on existing momentum and connect this work to 바카라사이트 National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children.¡±

john.morgan@ws-2000.com