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Luke Costin

NSW uni receives two sexual misconduct reports a week

More than 100 staff and students reported sexual misconduct to the University of Sydney last year. (Paul Miller/AAP PHOTOS)

More than 100 staff and students reported sexual misconduct to the University of Sydney last year, amid a nationwide push to better address safety on campuses.

The reports were revealed in the university's inaugural annual report on sexual misconduct, covering allegations of assault and harassment.

Slightly less than half of the 121 reports were related to conduct connected to the university, including 17 alleging misconduct perpetrated by former or current staff or affiliates.

All staff and students who reported incidents were offered or provided trauma-informed support by the university, the report released on Monday said.

That support could include help to complete a police report.

The university noted "encouraging" improvements, including more students seeking support, and said it was upholding its promise to "share the full story about sexual misconduct in our community".

The sector has been under pressure to address campus safety after a 2021 national survey showed nearly half of all students knew little or nothing about reporting sexual misconduct.

Peak body Universities Australia last month scrapped a sexual consent campaign at campuses across the country, citing discontent among university chiefs about one set of messages being applied to 1.4 million students from a broad range of backgrounds.

Not-for-profit organisation Our Watch was this month appointed to lead a working group examining on-campus safety and stopping sexual assault.

Education Minister Jason Clare has called for more action from universities to better protect staff and students.

The University of Sydney report showed complaints against staff and students resulted in a range of outcomes, including warnings, penalties and assisted resolutions.

"Given the considerable doubt surrounding the university's efforts in this area, this report is a significant opportunity to reaffirm our commitment," vice-chancellor Mark Scott said in an email to students and staff.

"The university has zero tolerance for any behaviour that is intimidating, abusive, discriminatory, disrespectful or threatening, including any instance of sexual harassment or assault. 

"Any such behaviour within our community or on any of our campuses is unacceptable."

The report covers the period immediately before the launch of a campus campaign on consent and available reporting methods.

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