Your welfare and safety are of utmost importance while you are learning. At ICHM we are committed to ensuring that your wellbeing is our priority, and we have structures in place to help with this.
The Student Support Office provides student counselling and welfare support through Student Welfare Officers. Our Student Welfare Officers ensure all students have the support and guidance they need to address any issue that might adversely affect their studies and/ or general well-being while at ICHM.
As the student’s first point of contact, our Student Welfare Officer works closely with students guiding, managing and resolving any situations that may arise from personal, cultural or study-related challenges.
ICHM’s Student Welfare Officer is also involved with student induction and plays a key role in ensuring ICHM students are well integrated into the unique ICHM ‘family’ culture.
Harassment comes in all forms including sexual harassment. Sexual harassment includes any inappropriate sexual behaviour such as unwanted touching or sexual comments. It is a broad term that also includes actual sexual assault.
At ICHM we pride ourselves on having a zero-tolerance policy on any form of harassment including sexual assault and harassment towards any student or staff member. In Australia, there are serious legal penalties for these actions. ICHM has a number of policies and procedures to protect and support students. There are also a number of staff members who are Mental Health First Responders who can assist you in the event of an incident. One of the structures we have in place to promote safety against harassment is the Community Welfare Advisory (CWAG).
Community Welfare Advisory Group
The purpose of the ICHM Community Welfare Advisory Group (CWAG) is to review, monitor and report on the Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment (SASH) action plan, as well as to recommend improvements to enhance student welfare, the work environment and education and training in relation to bullying and harassment, sexual assault, and mental health. Meetings are held throughout the semester, chaired by a staff member appointed by the CEO, along with the following members:
- UP Education Human Resource Advisor
- Industry and Career Development Manager
- Student Welfare Officer
- Three student representatives.
There are multiple support services outside ICHM that are available to the public should you find yourself needing assistance or support around welfare and safety issues. The following is a list of some of those:
Helplines and Services
The following is a list of helplines and services within Australia and South Australia. Click on each of the headings for further information and details.
A national sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line is open 24/7 for anyone who has experienced or is at risk of, physical or sexual violence, including young people.
Phone: 1800 737 732
Website: 1800respect.org.au and chat online
Yarrow Place Rape and Sexual Assault Service includes a 24/7 crisis response service for anyone aged 16 years and over at the time of the sexual assault. This includes support from a social worker, medical care by a doctor or nurse and collection of forensic evidence for people considering legal action.
Phone: 1800 817 421
Website: Yarrow Place - SA Health
The following links provide additional support services related to sexual assault.
Victims of Crime South Australia - Sexual assault support services
Domestic and family violence and sexual assault support services
Victim support services provide crisis accommodation and support to people affected by domestic and family violence and institutional child abuse.
Phone: 1800 842 846
Website: victimsa.org
