UniSport Launches National Good Practice Event Guidelines to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence

UniSport Australia has recently launched its Good Practice Event Guidelines and Checklist for Preventing and Responding to Gender-Based Violence (GBV). The guidelines represent a vital step in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of students at university sporting events across the country. 

The launch was announced at the 2025 UniSport National Conference, where Stephanie Taylor, President of the Australian and New Zealand Student Services Association (ANZSSA), and Christine Voge, UniSport’s General Manager of National Sporting Programs, delivered a joint presentation on the role university sport plays in addressing GBV in higher education. 

A Sector-Wide Responsibility 

In recent years, universities across Australia have faced growing expectations to prevent and respond to GBV, both on campus and in all affiliated activities. This urgency has been shaped by the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032, government’s new 2024 Action Plan Addressing Gender-Based Violence in Higher Education, and the work of student advocates across the country and around the world. 

With the implementation of the National Student Ombudsman in February 2025 and the proposed National Higher Education Code expected to introduce new standards around student safety, the university sector is now being asked to adopt a whole-of-organisation approach to tackling GBV. 

UniSport’s Commitment to Safe Sporting Spaces 

Sport holds unique potential to create positive cultural change, promoting respect, equity, inclusion, and healthy social environments. With thousands of students participating in our programs each year, UniSport Australia is committed to ensuring every athlete, volunteer, staff member, and spectator is part of a safe, respectful, and inclusive community. 

The Good Practice Event Guidelines offer clear, actionable frameworks for universities and event organisers to adopt. Developed in accordance with the federal Action Plan, the guidelines include: 

• Collaborative alignment with appropriate university portfolio who can provide relevant GBV policies 

• Host organisation checklists to ensure proper mechanisms are in place 

• Mandatory pre-departure education and briefings for teams, with all important contacts and information 

• Event-specific safety checks and risk management protocols 

• Clear reporting pathways and bystander intervention strategies 

• Accountability measures for misconduct and breach of codes of conduct 

• Annual review and improvement mechanisms 

“Our responsibility extends beyond the competition field,” said Christine Voge. “We must ensure that all aspects of university sporting life uphold the values of safety, respect, and inclusivity. These guidelines help our members lead with confidence and integrity.” 

A Partnership Built on Shared Values 

Stephanie Taylor emphasised the shared commitment between ANZSSA and UniSport to support student wellbeing through proactive, evidence-based measures. “University sport plays a powerful role in fostering belonging and connection. These same environments must also be places where safety, equity, and respectful behaviour are not only encouraged but expected.” 

Next Steps for the Sector 

Universities and sporting bodies are encouraged to review the guidelines and integrate them into their institutional practices. While many universities are already advancing in this space, UniSport’s resources offer consistent national guidance to support compliance, empower student leaders, and foster cultural change. 

The guidelines and checklists are available now via the UniSport website. Institutions are invited to use the tools in conjunction with their own internal protocols and training resources. 

Download UniSport’s GBV Good Practice Guidelines.

For further information, contact: 
martin.doulton@unisport.com.au