SESSION OVERVIEW
The Universities Accord (National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender based Violence) Bill 2025 and its accompanying legislative instrument, the National Code, provides a new form of regulation for the higher education sector. It sets standards across seven areas that all universities must meet. These standards are deliberately interdependent to support an evidence-informed, whole-of-organisation approach to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.
The Government developed the National Code to rapidly push universities and the student accommodation sector to improve their policies, practices and systems to prevent gender-based violence and improve how they support victim-survivors.
In this session, Dr Renee Hamilton will discuss the key National Code requirements along with guidance on key things Student Experience Network (SEN) members should consider to ensure compliance with the Code.
PRESENTER
Dr Renee Hamilton is a dedicated, passionate and respected national leader in addressing gender-based violence, with over 20 years of expertise in policy, advocacy, prevention, and response. She specialises in addressing gender-based violence in higher education.
Renee has led significant reforms through her roles in higher education, the domestic, family and sexual violence sector and government. Key highlights include:
- leading the development of the Action Plan Addressing Gender-based Violence in Higher Education and the the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence
- high level strategic policy advice and direction on programs and priorities of the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032
- inaugural CEO of the National Women’s Safety Alliance
- Educating for Equality, a whole-of-university model to prevent gender-based violence in partnership with Our Watch and the Victorian Government
- National Student Safety Survey 2021 and Change the Course 2016
- National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children 2010–2022.
Renee is currently Managing Director of Equality Partners. Equality Partners, believe that everyone has the right to work in a safe and inclusive environment, free from violence and discrimination. Their mission is to provide their clients with the expertise, tools and resources they need to create a culture of equality, respect and dignity for all.