ANU Staff Panel Discussion - Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Higher Education: From Policy to Everyday Practice - welcome to all staff including casual, part-time and full-time

Event Summary

As part of the international 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, this ANU Staff Panel Discussion will explore how universities can move beyond policy into meaningful everyday practice to prevent and respond to gender-based violence (GBV).

Bringing together expertise from employee relations, social work, and gender-based violence prevention, the panel will discuss workplace accountability, trauma-informed support, primary prevention, cultural change, and practical ways staff can contribute to safer and more respectful environments.

This session is designed for ANU staff who want to better understand the role we all play in creating a workplace and university community where people feel safe, supported and respected.

About the Event

Gender-based violence is not only a societal issue. It is also a workplace, community and higher education issue.

Universities have an important role to play in supporting people impacted by violence, ensuring accountability where harm occurs, and fostering cultures that prevent violence before it happens.

This 45-minute moderated panel will examine:

• Why gender-based violence is a workplace and university issue

• Emerging legal, workplace health and safety, and institutional responsibilities

• Trauma-informed approaches to responding to disclosures

• Practical supports available to staff experiencing violence

• Prevention, accountability and respectful workplace culture

• Actions staff can take to contribute to safer workplaces and campuses

There will be a brief 10-minute Question and Answer time at the end of the session.

Panel Members

Moderator

• Claudia Munnings - Staff Respect Consultant, Diversity, Equity and Incluside (DEI)

Employee Relations Specialist (ANU)

• Focus: Workplace policies, legal and compliance obligations, safety planning, workplace adjustments, and disciplinary mechanisms.

• Panellist: Ella Stevenson - Senior Adviser, Employee Relations

Social Worker (ANU)

• Focus: Trauma-informed support, survivor-centred responses, psychological safety, and referral pathways.

• Panellist: Sue Houghton - Staff Adviser, Safety and Wellbeing

Gender-Based Violence Specialist (ANU)

• Focus: Primary prevention, systemic drivers of violence, cultural change, and safety within higher education settings.

• Panellist: Elise Stephenson -Deputy Director, The Global Institute for Women's Leadership (GIWL)