SAFE SPACES & GRIEVANCE PROCESSES
When members join a club, they agree to adhere to the club's rules, the safe spaces agreement, its constitution and the Guild & Curtin University's values. Members should also be aware of options to discuss grievances, report issues and complaints. Members can also find all club governing documents on the club's website.
On this page, you will find:
GRIEVANCE PROCESS - FOR STUDENTS AND MEMBERS
Members and students engaging with Guild-registered clubs and societies who wish to raise grievances or complaints can refer to the default Guild clubs consitution for a detailed overview of the club grievance procedure.
A basic overview of this process is provided below. This is also referred to in The Safe Spaces Agreement which members agree to follow when attending club activities and upon membership sign-up.
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Step 1: If you feel safe to do so, address the person(s) directly to make them aware of your grievance, and explain the impact their words/actions have had on you. Perhaps have a witness or support person.
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Step 2: Provide the person(s) an opportunity to respond, apologise, and/or rectify their behaviour accordingly.
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Step 3: Should the person’s response be unsatisfactory (i.e. failure to apologise, continued poor behaviour / language), please lodge a formal written complaint to the club secretary outlining your grievance. This should be sent to the club’s published central contact email, and addressed “To the Club Secretary”. (Note: if the matter is serious in nature or you wish for this not to be notified to the club, an alternative is to email clubs@guild.curtin.edu.au and attention “To the Clubs Officer” as they oversee Guild clubs at Curtin. Alternatively, you can book a confidential meeting with Guild’s Student Assist team.)
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Step 4: Within twenty eight (28) days after the Secretary is given the notice, a Committee meeting must be convened to consider and determine the matter. Both parties will be given at least seven (7) days notice of this meeting and invited to attend and provide information about their recollection of the incident(s) or issue(s), and then outlining actions for one or both parties moving forward. (Note: if any party to the dispute gives written notice that they do not agree to the dispute being determined by the committee, the committee must not determine the dispute. The alternative is to email clubs@guild.curtin.edu.au to request that the Guild Council determine the dispute).
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Step 5: Once the committee has determined the dispute, they will advise you of their findings and requirements moving forward.
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Step 6: If you are unsatisfied with the club committee's determination, you may inform them of this, and notify the Guild to request the Guild Council to determine the dispute.
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Step 7: The Guild will review the steps taken so far, speak to the relevant parties, and will then make a determination as to whether the actions taken so far by the club have been appropriate or whether further action is recommended. The Guild's decision will be final and binding.
THE SAFE SPACES AGREEMENT
As a member of a club, you are required to follow The Safe Spaces Agreement.
This will assist clubs to confidently address issues on the spot should a member fail to adhere to the rules in order to keep their spaces safe at all times.
CONSENT AND SEXUAL SAFETY
Sexual harassment and sexual assault are unacceptable. The Curtin Student Guild is committed to fostering safe, respectful, consensual and enjoyable campus club culture.
Reporting sexual assault and harassment
Curtin's support services and reporting process for incidents of sexual assault and/or sexual harassment can be accessed here.
Responding to disclosures of sexual assault course
This course is developed by the Sexual Assault Resource Centre WA (SARC) and aims to increase knowledge and understanding about sexual assault issues and to improve your ability to effectively respond to disclosures of sexual assault from adolescents and adults. All club committee members are encouraged to complete this course if they feel safe to respond to disclosures of this nature.
The free online course can take 2 hours to complete and will issue a certificate upon completion:
- Register online to receive a password
- Access the course with your password.
- Once complete, remember to take a screenshot of your completion certificate & send it to clubs@guild.curtin.edu.au
The Guild will require a SARC trained committee member to be working any event your club plans to run that involves alcohol, is off-campus, or involves overnight stays such as club retreats and camps. The Club Support team will advise your club if this is required when we are assessing your event application.
All club committee members are encouraged to complete this course if they feel safe to respond to disclosures of this nature.
All clubs are required to complete a Risk Assessment / Risk Management Plan for high-risk club events. Here's an example template covering risk measures relating to assault.
INCIDENT REPORTING PROCESS - FOR CLUB OFFICERS
Safety and wellbeing are at the forefront of all Guild club events, with the Guild’s club event policies and procedures focused on supporting clubs to deliver events that are as safe as possible. Unfortunately, accidents and incidents can, and do, still happen. It is crucial that incidents are reported as soon as possible when they occur, in order to ensure the appropriate support is provided and the relevant personnel are notified.
Should a serious incident or emergency occur at a club event or during club activities (whether on campus or off campus), please refer to the below reporting process:
- Report the incident immediately to Curtin’s Safer Community Team – (08) 9266 4444. This is a 24/7 service.
- The Safer Community Team will:
- alert relevant internal Curtin and Guild personnel,
- refer you to additional services as appropriate, and
- guide you through any immediate actions required.
- Where applicable, additional support, action items, and/or any further investigation will be provided and/or carried out in the days and weeks following the incident.
- If you need further support during office hours (Mon-Fri 9am-4pm) please call Guild Reception – (08) 9266 2900 or email clubs@guild.curtin.edu.au
WELLBEING RESOURCES
It's important to understand that you are not alone when it comes to mental health and your wellbeing.
Call 000 immediately if you or someone you know is in a life threatening emergency.
To find your nearest emergency department, visit Healthy WA.
The university provides access to a range of wellbeing services that might be helpful, including counselling, peer support, and other mental health resources both within Curtin or externally. You can explore these services online here.