The report examines how sexual harassment in higher education is understood, addressed, and responded to across 28 Indo-Pacific countries. It reviews government and institutional policies, special procedures, and practical implementation efforts, drawing from literature, policy documents, and stakeholder interviews.
Findings reveal that only Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines have national policies specifically addressing sexual harassment in higher education, while four countries (Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand, and the Philippines) have special institutional procedures. Sixteen countries have laws criminalizing sexual harassment, though many apply only to workplaces and do not focus on prevention in education settings. While 21 countries have institutional policies on sexual harassment, their effectiveness varies significantly.
Challenges in implementation include failures in reporting, investigation, victim support, and consent education. A lack of clear reporting procedures was a common issue. While some institutions are seen as leaders in best practices, there is a need for greater knowledge-sharing across the region to improve prevention and response efforts.