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Overseas students main target for abuse: uni survey
Updated 29 August 2012, 15:58 AEST
The University of Newcastle is talking up its security credentials in the wake of a report that shows Asian and Middle Eastern students are the main targets of physical and verbal abuse.
The University of Newcastle talks up its security credentials in the wake of a new report on student abuse.
The University of Newcastle talks up its security credentials in the wake of a new report on student abuse. (Credit: ABC)
More than 160 incidents were reported by students over the last year via an online tool established by the Newcastle University Students Association, NUSA.
There were 40 cases of physical assault, with the majority taking place close to the University's Callaghan campus at Shortland and Jesmond.
Association President and author of the report, Heather Richards, says students from particular cultures stood out.
"The majority of reports came from Asian students, the next highest being from Middle Eastern students," she said.
"International student representatives have believed for a long time that some of these, particularly verbal abuse, have been racially motivated.
"This would appear to confirm that perception."
The University's Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kevin McConkey says campus security is a priority.
"We've significantly improved safety and security arrangements on campus.
"We've also significantly improved the information that is provided to international students about how to be safe and stay safe.
"We've also increased our work with the community, through a range of activities, cultural awareness, cultural festivals."
Professor McConkey also warns the survey had a very small sample size and says the results need to be looked at in context.
"I think it's always useful to hear what people have to say but that needs to be triangulated with other information, with actual hard statistics," he said.
"The statistics would tell us it's not quite as dramatic as this report points to."
The Greens say the report suggests a concerning trend of racially motivated abuse within Australian universities.
The party's Higher Education Spokeswoman, Senator Lee Rhiannon, says the Federal Government should use the reporting tool across the country.
"We will be certainly suggesting that this where the Federal Labor Government could play a constructive role," she said.
"We already have the methodology there, it ran for a year, this online multilingual module."
Overseas students main target for abuse: uni survey | ABC Radio Australia
* This is just one University survey.
Updated 29 August 2012, 15:58 AEST
The University of Newcastle is talking up its security credentials in the wake of a report that shows Asian and Middle Eastern students are the main targets of physical and verbal abuse.
The University of Newcastle talks up its security credentials in the wake of a new report on student abuse.
The University of Newcastle talks up its security credentials in the wake of a new report on student abuse. (Credit: ABC)
More than 160 incidents were reported by students over the last year via an online tool established by the Newcastle University Students Association, NUSA.
There were 40 cases of physical assault, with the majority taking place close to the University's Callaghan campus at Shortland and Jesmond.
Association President and author of the report, Heather Richards, says students from particular cultures stood out.
"The majority of reports came from Asian students, the next highest being from Middle Eastern students," she said.
"International student representatives have believed for a long time that some of these, particularly verbal abuse, have been racially motivated.
"This would appear to confirm that perception."
The University's Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kevin McConkey says campus security is a priority.
"We've significantly improved safety and security arrangements on campus.
"We've also significantly improved the information that is provided to international students about how to be safe and stay safe.
"We've also increased our work with the community, through a range of activities, cultural awareness, cultural festivals."
Professor McConkey also warns the survey had a very small sample size and says the results need to be looked at in context.
"I think it's always useful to hear what people have to say but that needs to be triangulated with other information, with actual hard statistics," he said.
"The statistics would tell us it's not quite as dramatic as this report points to."
The Greens say the report suggests a concerning trend of racially motivated abuse within Australian universities.
The party's Higher Education Spokeswoman, Senator Lee Rhiannon, says the Federal Government should use the reporting tool across the country.
"We will be certainly suggesting that this where the Federal Labor Government could play a constructive role," she said.
"We already have the methodology there, it ran for a year, this online multilingual module."
Overseas students main target for abuse: uni survey | ABC Radio Australia
* This is just one University survey.