CW: This article includes mention of sexual violence. For help contact 1800 RESPECT, and for the SCO: +61 2 8627 6808, and [email protected]
On Tuesday November 5, the University of Sydney’s Women’s Collective (WOCO) held a Vigil for victim-survivors of sexual violence at the Quadrangle where more than 100 students and members of the community showed up in solidarity.
Attendees were invited to lay flowers, light candles and write messages of solidarity on a banner which read, “we believe you”. Activists also held a banner during the Vigil which read, “we hear you, we care for you, we believe you.”
This vigil comes almost a week after three members associated with the USyd Conservative Club ripped up and threw the 2018 Red Zone Report on sexual violence on campuses to the ground. The report was handed to them and other councillors by the 2025 Women’s Officers at RepsElect. A few days prior, 27 St Paul’s College residents were expelled or suspended in relation to a ‘mock trial’ hazing incident.
Current Women’s Officer Rand Khatib began with an Acknowledgement of Country, stating that “this land we meet on is stolen land, which was taken through violence and force.”
“As we gather here today to talk about sexual violence,” Khatib said, “we must recognise the atrocities that have happened on this continent.”
She then explained that the vigil is in honour and recognition of “the voices of people who could not be here, and who were silenced” whether that be those experiencing sexual violence on campus, or across the world in Sudan, Afghanistan, and Palestine.
Incoming 2025 Women’s Officer Martha Barlow added to this, reassuring that as personal stories are heard, anyone who needs to step out or access tissues and water provided by WoCo, is welcome to do so.
Barlow said that while there is “so much power in speaking out… and in standing up to institutional power”, power also resides in the journey of “healing and building community”.
Incoming 2025 Environmental Officer Lilah Thurbon, a former Women’s College resident, spoke to “the reality of the residential colleges.” In her first week there, Thurbon noted that St Andrew’s students were not allowed to attend Orientation Week because of hazing.
Thurbon also denounced the fact that the “endemic culture of sexual violence was treated as an inconvenience instead of a threat to women’s safety”, stating that “sexual violence is not frivolous and it is not an inconvenience.”
She finished her speech by reiterating that “the stories of victim-survivors deserve to be told, they deserve to be heard, and they deserve to be believed.”
The next speaker was Lizzie Jarrett, a Dunghutti, Gumbaynggirr, and Bundjalung woman from the Blak Caucus. Jarrett was one of many victim-survivors who spoke, stating that “any other victim-survivors out there — my heart is your heart.”
Jarrett addressed the individuals who ripped up the report as well as the crowd saying that “the more we hate these men, the more they get to continue this mentality amongst their peers.”
She then asked, “why are they acting like that?”, before stating that “the colony has taught these men to act like this.”
“While we feel this rage, we must maintain the love that keeps us going,” Jarrett concluded before reciting her poetry.
Member for Newtown Jenny Leong spoke next, stating that this “toxic” behaviour is “not new” and was occuring when she attended USyd.
Leong stated that for “all of the people who shared their stories in that powerful [Red Zone] Report” “this demonstrates not so much the relevance or irrelevance of that pathetic individual”, but “the systemic, institutionalised misogyny that has been allowed to exist on this campus for so long.”
Leong then explained that the power of speaking out lies in undermining the ability of institutions “to pretend that everything is glossy and shiny” by exposing the “old boys protecting this violent culture.”
“How many more reviews do we need to know that sexual violence is not acceptable on-campus?” Leong asked, before reinforcing the abolishment of the colleges as the only solution “to removing the toxicity.”
Sarah Williams, Awakabal woman and founder and CEO of What Were You Wearing Australia (WWYW), began by stating, “I want to send my love and strength to those who were there [at RepsElect], to victim-survivors, and to the Women’s Collective.”
Williams spoke to her own experience on campus, navigating the inadequate responses and resources of universities, asking “what will it take for universities to commit to ending rape on campus?” Williams emphasised that “one student experiencing sexual violence should be enough for these institutions to make change.”
She also criticised the lack of disciplinary action against the students who ripped up the Red Zone Report.
Anu-Ujin Khulan, incoming 2025 General Secretary and international student began by saying, “tonight, we hold this space not in anger but with empathy.”
Khulan identified that “this is a global issue that does not care for borders.” She also addressed the experience of international students who may feel an additional sense of loneliness and isolation, reassuring that they “are seen…are heard and [their] pain matters.”
Ellie Robertson, current Sexual Violence Officer and incoming 2025 Women’s Officer recognised that the ripping up of the Red Zone Report “has once again confirmed what we have known for decades — that this misogyny is institutional and systematic.”
Roberston spoke to recognising and amplifying voices, “I want to focus on the people who truly deserve to be heard louder than these bullies … on the people here tonight who show empathy to victim-survivors.”
Robertson concluded by addressing the crowd: “let us be the voice for those who cannot speak. Our work does not end here.”
After the vigil, Honi spoke to Lilah Thurbon, “It was really heartening to see so many people turn up to listen to the voices of people advocating for victim-survivors and who told their stories.”
“I think it’s important to carry the momentum forward”, Thurbon continued.
Attendees were invited to stay after the vigil to open dialogue and support each other. The Women’s Collective also handed out leaflets with mental health and safety resources.
Robertson spoke to Honi about the importance of the ‘Abolish the Colleges’ campaign, a longstanding campaign of the Women’s Collective. She stated that “it’s good that people are speaking up and speaking out. […] to make sure we are targeting the real issue which is the systemic issue of elitism and misogyny within the University but also particularly in the colleges.”
WOCO published a press release this morning detailing the Vigil’s turnout and their platform moving forward, “The University of Sydney Women’s Collective continues to call for the abolishment of the colleges that continue to perpetuate the violent cultures of misogyny within the colleges.”
“We demand the colleges to be turned into safe and affordable student housing. The University of Sydney Women’s Collective extends love and solidarity to victim-survivors. We believe you, we hear you, we care. We will fight for a better world for you,” it read.
Likewise, Sarah Williams stated that “it was a really lovely event that brought together community and victim survivors, but also the wider community.”
“Going forward we need a lot more accountability and support for victim-survivors. The lack of support given to students following the event is pretty atrocious,” Williams stated.
Williams continued, “Trauma counsellors should have been brought into the University and the lack of disciplinary action… shows other people like them that you can do this sort of thing and get away with it.”
At the time of the Vigil, the University of Sydney had not addressed the incident last Wednesday. Williams spoke to this stating, “From a comm’s perspective I don’t get it, surely you would have at least release a statement or find a way to publicly help your students.”
Williams, who runs What Were You Wearing Australia is offering free healing groups run by a psychologist and peer worker with one scheduled to take place at the end of this month. The space is open to all students.
At the time of the Vigil, Honi understands the University did not get in contact with the Women’s Collective nor anyone in attendance following RepsElect for support services.
