Event Safety

Safety at Social Events

The combination of alcohol, dark venues and young people means that sometimes things can feel, or even become unsafe. The following information is provided not to alarm, but to inform. Stay safe.

There is a lot of sex at Uni. Whatever your sexual preferences, shag safely. Condoms and dams are available free at ANUSA and also at the Sexual Health Clinic. If you do have unsafe sex, the Sexual Health Centres can provide testing for STIs, emergency contraception and pregnancy counselling. The Sexual Health Clinic provides confidential and free or low cost services. Abortion is legal in the ACT up to 12 weeks gestation.

Sexual Health Clinic Centre 6244 2184
Sexual Health and Family Planning 6247 3077

Drugs and Alcohol

Like any social scene, there are alcohol and drugs at ANU social events. ANUSA does not support excessive drinking or any illegal drug taking.

Don’t drink beyond your capacity. Obviously alcohol affects your judgement and ability to make safe choices, may be harmful to your health and having a vomit soaked swagger is not the best way to meet new people. Be careful of drink spiking and don’t drink and drive. Derrrrr.

Canberra Taxis 13 2227

Drug and Alcohol Counselling 1800 422 599 or 6205 64545

If you do choose to take drugs: be very careful. Don’t mix your poisons, don’t share needles and seek assistance if you or a mate feels dizzy, nauseous, unwell, unsafe or comatose. Have someone trustworthy who will stay clean and sober and can help out if there are problems. Remember that ambulance personnel don’t report drug usage to the police: so get help if you or a friend needs it.

Drink Spiking

In the past, drink spiking has been a problem in Canberra. Buy your own drinks yourself, and either drink them or ditch them. Don’t leave drinks unattended. If you start to feel tried, dizzy, disoriented or sick then get help immediately. If your drink tastes or smells or looks unusual, if it has moved or if the level of liquid has altered- don’t drink it! And be careful from whom you get help. Security personnel, very trusted friends, official volunteers or even bar staff are safer helpers than the over-friendly person who has been buying you drinks all evening.

Ambulance 000

ANU Security Escort 6125 2249 or extension 52249 (from an ANU internal phone). Please put this number in your mobile.

Campus Safety

The ANU campus is large, relatively isolated and very dark at night in parts. There have been rapes and assaults on the ANU campus. Assaults can occur regardless of your gender. If you need to walk across campus at night, whether during O-Week, Bush-Week or at any other time, get an escort to walk with you. You can get an ANU Security escort at any time: call 6125 2249 or 52249 from an ANU extension. There are also safe walking routes on campus which are well lit, patrolled and have emergency phones installed. This map is available from UniSafe and ANUSA. There is also a free night-time security bus [aka Brian’s Bus] which does loops around campus. There is a link below to the route and timetable.

Link to Unisafe bus

Link to UniSafe

ANU Security Escort 6125 2249 or 52249

Assaults

Whether an assault is violent, sexual or intimidating you should report it to the police as soon as possible. Reporting an assault, whether you are a victim or a witness, will NOT affect your visa if you are an international student. If you want advice or support, try the following numbers:

Police Emergency 000
Police Non-emergency 13 1444
Rape Crisis Centre 6247 2525
Service Assisting Male Survivors of Sexual Assault (SAMSSA) 6262 7377
ACT Victim Services Scheme 1800 822 272
Police Victim Liaison Officer (Northside) 6245 7441
Police Victim Liaison Officer (Southside) 6269 2706
Lifeline Counselling 13 1114
ANU Counselling 6125 2442
ANUSA Women’s Officer 6125 9868
ANUSA Sexuality Officer 6125 8514
STIs and Unwanted Pregnancy

Emergency Contacts

Police/Fire/Ambulance Emergency 000
ANU Security 6125 2249 or 52249
Rape Crisis Centre 6247 2525
Drug and Alcohol Helpline 6205 2525
Lifeline 24h Counselling 13 1114
ANU Counselling 6125 2442
Sexual Health Centre 6244 2184
Domestic Violence Crisis Service 6248 7800
Mental Health Crisis 1800 629 354