‘David v Goliath’: How universities deal with sexual violence is changing
From January 1, universities will be required to do more under far-reaching legislation designed to prevent and improve responses to gender-based violence on campus.
Grace Binns was on a night out with friends, “blowing off some steam” ahead of her first law exams, when she was sexually assaulted.
The arts/law Monash University student was sexually assaulted by a French exchange student as she was dancing with friends at a pub close to her home on campus in 2023, derailing her mental health and affecting her in the years that followed.
Grace Binns says her university’s reaction to her sexual assault was “confronting because Monash had been an institution I’d idealise; I was thrilled to be part of it”.
“I lost it,” she said of the incident, two and a half years on. “I ended up throwing a jug of ice over his head. I went home, was crying, sobbing, I called my mum in the middle of the night. I woke my college head up in the middle of the night, wanting to know what I could do to report it.”
Concluding she would suffer more than the perpetrator if she reported the incident to the police, the then-19-year-old instead turned to Monash University for help.
Her college head and case officer were both supportive, she said, but the university said it could not take any “direct disciplinary action” because the incident took place off campus, and provided what she called an underwhelming set of options. She was offered a “motivational interview” with the other student, and ended up receiving a “second-hand apology, which is more than some victim-survivors get”.
In a statement, Monash said motivational interviews are educational, give warnings about unacceptable behaviour and its consequences, and provide referrals to appropriate resources.
‘It is something that is not just going to change lives, it will save lives.’
Sharna Bremner, End Rape on Campus founder
Binns remains angry. “It feels like David versus Goliath, when you’re one victim-survivor trying to get an institution as vast and well-resourced as Monash to listen and respect what you have to say.”
Binns welcomes legislation coming into effect on Thursday which is designed to force universities to “prevent and respond to” gender-based violence and enforce compliance with the national standards and requirements.
The far-reaching laws will require all job applicants to disclose whether they have been investigated for any allegations – whether proven or not – of gender-based violence, and force institutions to consider proven allegations when hiring.