About RNA
Respect Now Always (RNA) is a university-wide initiative focused on promoting respect, consent, and the prevention of sexual harassment and violence. Through events like O-Fest, the program raises awareness, educates students on consent, and fosters a safer, more inclusive campus culture.
How Can We Create an Environment Free from Gender-Based Violence?
At Respect.Now.Always., community is at the heart of everything. Serving over 45,000+ members of the UTS community, the program's Community Voice research project sought to answer: How can we better serve our community in the prevention and elimination of gender-based violence?
The Community Voice research, conducted through 54 interviews with students and staff, detailed several key recommendations:
- Pursue a comprehensive agenda of community-driven co-design for future directions
- Develop a robust, mixed-methods monitoring and evaluation framework
- Socialise and institutionalise the Theory of Change throughout the UTS community
- Renew resources and funding to sustain the complex work of addressing sexual violence at UTS
Tackling gender-based violence requires campus-wide and whole-of-institution change. The RNA Theory of Change spans the continuum of action on addressing gender-based violence, from well-tailored primary prevention through to compassionate, coordinated, and trauma-informed response.
My Volunteer Experience
Date: 21 February 2025 (Shifts: 7-9PM and 9PM-12AM) Hours: 6 hours Event: O-Fest 2025
What I Did
My social impact action involved engaging with students at O-Fest by explaining the importance of consent in everyday interactions. Through interactive conversations and activities, I helped create awareness about respectful behavior and campus safety.
Key Activities
- Interactive Dashboards: Facilitated discussions using interactive dashboards where students could share their thoughts and learn about respectful behavior
- "Wanna Spoon? Ask First!" Activity: Demonstrated how consent works in a simple yet impactful way through this interactive demonstration
- Booth Engagement: Engaged with students at the RNA booth, initiating conversations about consent and boundaries
- Resource Distribution: Handed out freebies and merchandise to encourage participation and spread awareness about creating a safer campus environment
- Peer Education: Explained key concepts around consent, boundaries, and communication in an approachable way
Skills Developed
Through this experience, I developed and strengthened:
- Communicating sensitive topics with clarity and empathy
- Cultural awareness and sensitivity
- Peer-led education techniques
- Active listening and engagement
- Event facilitation and public engagement
Reflections & Learnings
What I Learned
I learned the importance of open conversations in promoting respect and consent. Engaging with students in an interactive way made me realize how small actions—like asking before taking—can shape a culture of consent in everyday life. It also reinforced the need for approachable and engaging methods to spread awareness about serious topics.
Through this experience, I gained confidence in communicating sensitive topics with clarity, empathy, and cultural awareness. I saw firsthand how impactful peer-led conversations can be in shaping campus culture.
What I'd Do Differently
If I were to do this again, I would:
- Initiate more conversations with students who seemed hesitant to engage
- Find ways to make discussions even more relatable and inclusive for a diverse audience
- Prepare more entry points for students who might find the topic uncomfortable initially
How You Can Help
As a member of the UTS community, where do you see yourself within addressing gender-based violence? Here are some starting ideas:
- 📋 Read the Policy: Familiarise yourself with the Sexual Harm Prevention and Response Policy to understand your proactive responsibility
- 🆘 Know the Support Services: Be aware of the support services available to you and others
- 🙋 Volunteer with RNA: Sign up to deliver RNA at UTS via volunteering, education, and capacity-building opportunities
Event: O-Fest 2025 | Program Duration: February 2025
