Students want a campus sexual assault watchdog to be set up quickly.  

Advocacy groups are pressing for the swift establishment of Australia's inaugural independent student watchdog to combat sexual violence and address safety concerns within university campuses. 

The working group, formed in response to criticism of the tertiary sector's handling of sexual assault and harassment, called for the creation of a national ombudsman during a special meeting with education ministers on Tuesday.

However, the ministers stopped short of approving the proposal, opting instead to initiate a consultation period until January 31, as announced on Wednesday. 

Federal Education Minister Jason Clare said it is important to gather feedback from stakeholders and the broader community.

Patty Kinnersly, the head of the working group and CEO of Our Watch, expressed disappointment that the plan was not adopted immediately, highlighting the ten weeks of consultation with experts that contributed to its formulation. 

A Senate inquiry had previously revealed the sector's failure to provide sufficient support for victims of sexual violence.

The latest national student safety survey, released amid the 2021 COVID-19 lockdowns, disclosed alarming statistics, indicating that one in 20 students had experienced sexual assault since commencing university, with one in six reporting sexual harassment. 

The majority of alleged perpetrators (84 per cent) were men.

Kinnersly stressed the shocking and enduring experiences of predominantly female students, urging the acknowledgment of the damage caused when individuals pursuing education are suddenly made to feel disrespected or undervalued.

The proposed plan outlined seven key actions, including a comprehensive institutional approach to prevent gender-based violence, supported by a national higher education code. 

It also called for the establishment of an independent watchdog endowed with investigative powers, capable of recommending specific administrative actions to resolve complaints.

Senator Mehreen Faruqi, the deputy Greens leader and education spokesperson, said sexual violence on campuses is widespread and systemic. 

She said the ombudsman should possess substantial enforcement powers and resources to avoid the repetition of failures by universities and the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA).

While the Coalition's education spokesperson, Senator Sarah Henderson, endorsed the ombudsman plan, Universities Australia expressed concerns about its potentially extensive powers. 

The peak body for the sector, represented by Catriona Jackson, voiced reservations about the proposal's broad scope.

Student advocacy groups, including Fair Agenda, the Stop Campaign, the National Union of Students, and End Rape on Campus, rallied behind the plan. 

NUS President Bailey Riley has challenged universities to endorse the plan in its entirety if they genuinely took the issue seriously. 

Sharna Bremner, founder of End Rape on Campus, urged universities not to dilute the proposed interventions, highlighting the historical significance of this moment for student advocates.