Helping you to feel safe at Deakin
Welcome to Trimester 1! We’re thrilled to welcome you to Deakin for the first time or to welcome you back. The start of a new trimester is one of the busiest times on campus, with thousands of new students starting their degrees.
We want everyone to have an enjoyable and successful time at Deakin, which is why we need to highlight the importance of personal safety – both on-campus and in the wider community.
Safety, inclusion and respect are central to our University culture, and we’re always working to implement services that will support your wellbeing.
Staying safe on campus
When you’re on campus, our Deakin Security team works hard to keep you safe by providing regular security patrols and emergency assistance. They’re available to escort you to your car at night and are the first port of call if you see something that makes you uncomfortable. All our officers are also trained first aid responders.
As you begin T1, there’s a couple of easy steps you can take to maximise your personal safety:
- Download the SafeZone app, which connects you directly to Deakin Security and sends them your location if you need help. You can also call Security directly on 1800 062 579.
- Check out our safety tips for when you’re on campus. This includes some advice for when you’re in places like the library, at a student residence or in a carpark.
- Read Deakin’s My guide to personal safety, which outlines what to do and who to contact in a range of emergency situations.
Staying safe in the community
Victoria is generally a safe place but unfortunately some people may face discrimination and harassment.
We want you to be safe when you’re travelling to and from campus, and when you’re at home or out and about. Adopting practical safety strategies should reduce the risks and help you to respond effectively if you ever feel unsafe.
Here are some simple ways you can look after yourself:
- Call Victoria Police on Triple Zero (000) if you ever feel unsafe or uncomfortable.
- Read Victoria Police’s personal safety tips, which includes information on staying safe on public transport, while drinking, in the outdoors and on the road.
- Read our tips for staying safe when you’re out and about.
- Be aware of your surroundings when you’re in public. Try to avoid becoming isolated – stay with your friends or crowds in well-lit, populated areas.
- Leave valuable items at home, not in your car or your bag.
Staying safe online
It’s important to educate yourself about cybersafety and take some steps to improve your online security. The eSafety Commissioner has lots of information and resources to help you stay safe online, but for a start you should:
- be careful about how much personal information you share online
- create strong passwords and passphrases that are hard for others to guess, or use two-factor authentication (2FA) where possible
- regularly back up your data on your personal devices
- be on the lookout for suspicious emails or messages and think before clicking on links or opening attachments
- keep software up-to-date on your personal computers, mobiles and tablets to protect your information
- install anti-virus software on your personal devices and set the software to automatically check for updates on a daily basis.
Preventing sexual harm
We’re committed to preventing and addressing sexual harm, which is a significant issue for all universities as well as the wider community.
Our Sexual Harm Prevention Program aims to build a strong culture of safety, mutual respect and inclusion to ensure all members of our community can study and work in a safe and supportive environment.
We have established policies and procedures that aim to prevent sexual harm, assault, violence and discrimination. We do not tolerate behaviours that cause people to feel unsafe.
Where to get help
If an incident occurs, we’re here to help you:
- In an emergency, contact Victoria Police on Triple Zero (000) and Deakin Security on 1800 062 579.
- For information, advice and support about sexual harm, or family or domestic violence (recent, historical and either on- or off-campus), contact our Safer Community team.
- We also recommend the following off-campus specialist support services:
- National Hotline for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault: 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732)
- Victorian Sexual Assault Crisis Line: 1800 806 292 (24 hours)
- Victims of Crime: 1800 819 817
- Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.