Juno House Gender Based Violence Action and Response Plan
Purpose
Juno House is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive living environment for all residents, staff, contractors, and visitors. This Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Action & Response Plan sets out how Juno House will prevent, identify, respond to, and report gender-based violence, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, coercive control, and family and domestic violence.
This plan is designed to support compliance expectations for accommodation providers working with universities and international students, including requirements outlined in the National Code (Education Services for Overseas Students) and related sector guidance.
Scope
This plan applies to: All residents (including international students), All staff (employees, contractors, casuals), Visitors and third-party service providers on site.
Incidents occurring: On Juno House premises (including common areas), In connection with Juno House activities/events, Off-site where there is a connection to Juno House accommodation or where a resident’s safety is impacted.
Definitions
· Gender-based violence (GBV): Violence or harmful behaviour directed at someone because of their gender, gender identity, or because it disproportionately affects people of a particular gender. This includes sexual violence, sexual harassment, stalking, image-based abuse, coercive control, and family and domestic violence.
· Sexual harassment: Unwelcome sexual conduct that makes a person feel offended, humiliated, or intimidated.
· Sexual assault: Any unwanted sexual act or behaviour without consent.
· Consent: Freely and voluntarily given agreement. Consent can be withdrawn at any time.
· Victim-survivor: A person who has experienced GBV.
Guiding principles
· Safety first: Immediate safety and wellbeing take priority.
· Trauma-informed response: We respond with care, choice, and respect.
· Resident-centred: The victim-survivor decides what support they want, where possible.
· Confidentiality: Information is shared only on a need-to-know basis, except where required by law or to prevent serious harm.
· No retaliation: Juno House will not tolerate victimisation of anyone who reports or supports a report.
· Procedural fairness: All parties are treated fairly while prioritising safety.
· Cultural safety: We recognise diverse cultural backgrounds and barriers to reporting.
Roles and responsibilities
General Manager (GM)
· Owns this plan and ensures it is implemented and reviewed.
· Ensures staff training occurs and records are maintained.
· Acts as escalation point for serious incidents.
Designated GBV Contact Officers
Juno House has appointed the following trained GBV Contact Officers: – Front Office Supervisor and Residential Advisor.
GBV Contact Officers are responsible for: Receiving disclosures and reports, Coordinating support and safety planning, Liaising with police, universities, and specialist services (with consent).
All staff
· Treat disclosures seriously and respectfully.
· Follow this plan and complete training.
· Report urgent safety concerns immediately.
Prevention and risk reduction (Action Plan)
1. Policy and communication
· Provide residents with a Resident Code of Conduct covering respectful behaviour, consent, harassment, and consequences.
· Include GBV information in:
o Welcome pack / resident handbook
o House rules signage in common areas
o Website
· Provide clear reporting options (24/7 where possible).
2. Environment and security controls
· Maintain secure access controls (access cards) and CCTV in common areas (not in private spaces).
· Ensure adequate lighting, secure entry points, and clear wayfinding.
· Maintain protocols for lost/stolen access cards (immediate deactivation).
· Visitor management rules (sign-in, time limits, resident responsibility for guests).
3. Staff training and capability
· Mandatory induction and annual refresher training for all staff on:
o Recognising GBV and responding to disclosures
o Trauma-informed communication
o Privacy/confidentiality
o Cultural sensitivity and working with international students
o Incident documentation
· Scenario drills (e.g., after-hours disclosure, immediate danger, intoxication).
4. Community education
· Regular resident communications (e.g., quarterly) on:
o Consent and respectful relationships
o Bystander intervention
o How to seek help
· Optional workshops in partnership with specialist providers/universities.
5. Partnerships
· Establish referral pathways with:
o Local sexual assault support services
o Family and domestic violence services
o University student wellbeing/safety teams
o Interpreting services (e.g., TIS National)
Reporting and response pathways
Juno House supports both: Disclosures (sharing an experience without wanting formal action), and Reports/complaints (requesting action or investigation).
How someone can report
Residents and staff can report: In person to staff or a GBV Contact Officer, By phone (Juno House reception/after-hours number), By email to [email protected]
Juno House will ensure residents know they can request a Contact Officer of a preferred gender where possible.
After-hours emergency procedure (resident-facing)
After Hours Emergency Contact Number: 1300 628 253
This number is strictly for emergencies only, such as: – Building emergencies (e.g., fire alarms) – Security concerns
For life-threatening emergencies, always call 000 immediately.
Procedure
If you encounter a non-life-threatening emergency, please call 1300 628 253 and provide: Your name, Your room number and A clear description of the issue
A member of the security team will assess the situation and respond accordingly. If the matter is not deemed urgent, you will be asked to report it to Reception during business hours.
Important to note
· The security team may take up to 60 minutes to arrive.
For non-urgent matters (e.g., maintenance requests, housekeeping issues, general questions), please email [email protected] or visit Reception during business hours.
Immediate response (first 0–2 hours)
If someone discloses or reports GBV:
1. Check immediate safety – If there is immediate danger, call 000.
a. If urgent police assistance is needed (but not life-threatening), call 131 444. – If on-site security assistance is needed for a building/security emergency, call 1300 628 253.
2. Provide a supportive response – Listen, believe, and thank them for telling you. – Do not pressure them to report to police.
3. Offer medical support (if relevant) – Encourage urgent medical care if there has been sexual assault.
4. Preserve evidence (only if they want) – Explain they can choose to preserve evidence (e.g., not showering/changing clothes) but it’s their choice.
5. Arrange a safe space – Offer a private room and a support person.
6. Offer interpreter support – Provide professional interpreters if needed (do not use friends/partners).
Ongoing response (2 hours–7 days)
Safety planning
A GBV Contact Officer will offer a safety plan, which may include: Room change or temporary relocation (where feasible), No-contact arrangements and guest restrictions, Security escort within the building, Increased monitoring of access logs/CCTV in relevant common areas and Support to access police, protection orders, or legal advice
Support and referrals
With consent, Juno House can assist with: Connecting to counselling and specialist GBV services, University support services (for students), Financial/tenancy support where appropriate
Communication with universities
Where a resident is a university-referred student or the university has a duty of care role: Juno House will seek the resident’s consent before contacting the university. If consent is not provided, Juno House will only share de-identified or minimal information unless required by law or to prevent serious harm.
Investigations and outcomes
When Juno House will investigate
Juno House may investigate when: A formal complaint is made, there is an ongoing safety risk to residents or staff or when there are alleged breaches of the Resident Code of Conduct.
Investigation approach
· Assign an appropriate investigator (internal or external depending on severity).
· Provide procedural fairness (opportunity to respond) while prioritising safety.
· Maintain confidentiality and document decisions.
Possible outcomes
Depending on findings and risk: Behavioural warnings and conditions, guest bans, room moves or separation arrangements, Termination of residency agreement/eviction processes (in line with applicable laws/agreements) and/or referral to police
Recordkeeping and privacy
· All disclosures/reports are recorded in a secure incident register.
· Records include: date/time, parties involved, summary, actions taken, referrals offered, and follow-up.
· Access is restricted to the GM and GBV Contact Officers.
· Information is retained and disposed of in line with legal requirements and Juno House retention policies.
Special considerations
International students
· Explain rights and options in plain English.
· Offer interpreter support.
· Acknowledge visa-related fears and clarify that seeking help does not jeopardise visa status.
Minors
Juno House’s accommodation is intended for adults. If a minor is identified on site, the GM will follow child safety and mandatory reporting obligations.
Alcohol/drugs
If intoxication is involved, prioritise safety and medical care. Consent cannot be assumed.
Review and continuous improvement
· This plan is reviewed annually and after any serious incident.
· Juno House will track (de-identified) trends: number of reports, response times, outcomes, and training completion.
Appendix B: Key contacts
· After-hours emergency contact (security): 1300 628 253
· Juno House general enquiries:
· Local hospital/sexual assault service:
o Royal Perth Hospital – Emergency Department
Address: 197 Wellington Street, Perth WA 6000 (about 0.7 km from Perth CBD)
· Crisis lines:
o SARC (Sexual Assault Resource Centre)
§ 24/7 for recent sexual assaults in the last two weeks: (08) 6458 1828
§ Freecall: 1800 199 888
§ Counselling appointment line (8:30am – 4:30pm): (08) 6458 1828
o Family and Domestic Violence (WA)
§ 24/7 Support: 1800RESPECT or 1800 737 732
o Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
§ 13YARN or 13 92 76 (24/7)
Appendix C: Resident Code of Conduct
· Zero tolerance for sexual harassment, assault, stalking, intimidation, and violence.
· Consent is required for all sexual activity.
· Breaches may result in immediate restrictions and termination of residency.