The arched sound shell at the amphitheatre at UQ Lakes, St Lucia.

UQ Safer Communities

Creating a safer UQ for everyone.

How we help

Everyone at UQ deserves to feel safe, respected and supported. UQ Safer Communities provides confidential, trauma‑informed, culturally responsive support to students, staff and members of the broader UQ community who have experienced, witnessed, or are concerned about harmful or unsafe behaviour.

We're here to help you understand your options, access support and navigate situations affecting your safety or wellbeing.

Quick exit

Get support

Speak with us to receive confidential, person centred support. Support can include advice and coordinating practical and wellbeing supports.

Report an incident

We can help you understand your reporting options including disclosures, formal reports, anonymous reports and third‑party reports.

Education and training

We offer training, workshops, campaigns and opportunities to help build a safer and more respectful UQ community.

Model and principles

UQ Safer Communities provides a coordinated, evidence-informed, whole-of-organisation approach to prevention and response that prioritise the safety and wellbeing of every member of the UQ community.

No matter where a person seeks help, they will be connected to UQ Safer Communities for prompt, compassionate support and a coordinated response.

Our comprehensive service model means we can deliver end-to-end services and support from primary prevention and early intervention to response and recovery.

Quick exit

The UQ Safer Communities team:

  • provides confidential advice and support to students and staff impacted by harmful behaviours
  • supports victim-survivors of concerning or complex behaviour
  • educates and supports staff, students, and the wider community to promote a culture of safety, inclusion, and respect
  • supports staff in identifying, managing or responding to student behaviours that may present risk
  • facilitates safety and supports planning for individuals at risk (e.g. on campus, in class, or on placement)
  • responds to disclosures and refers formal complaints or conduct matters.

UQ Safer Communities is underpinned by the following key principles and frameworks:

  • no wrong door approach
  • trauma informed
  • culturally responsive
  • intersectional approach
  • evidence informed
  • co-designed
  • natural justice
  • social justice.

Our model and supporting principles ensure student and staff safety and wellbeing is prioritised. Providing access to person-centred, trauma-informed and culturally inclusive support and appropriate training, helps ensure UQ is a safe place to study, work and visit.

Commitment to confidentiality and positive duty

UQ has a responsibility to manage risks and prioritise the safety of an impacted person and the community. Equally, we are committed to respecting the wishes of, and maintaining the confidentiality of, the discloser, and protecting the privacy of the person of concern. We are committed to providing natural justice to all parties.

UQ Safer Communities provides guidance on balancing confidentiality with legal and safety requirements, always aiming to support and keep impacted persons informed.

Contact us

We are here to listen, support you, and help you understand your options — at your own pace.