Student Hub: Student Safety and Security

UPDATE, Thursday, February 27, 2020: The Australian Government has again extended its travel ban and entry restrictions from mainland China for another week until Saturday, March 7.

On Thursday 27 February, the Prime Minister announced the Federal Government will maintain the travel ban and entry restrictions from mainland China, aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19, for a further week to Saturday 7 March. The ban prevents anyone other than Australian citizens or permanent residents and their immediate families from travelling to Australia from mainland China.  

The ban is being reviewed on a weekly basis.

Health authorities have identified cases of novel coronavirus in Australia in January 2020. Currently in Australia, people most at risk of contracting the virus are people who have been in mainland China recently or been in close contact with someone who is has a confirmed case of coronavirus.

The Australian Prime Minister has applied the following travel restrictions to people entering Australia having left mainland China after 1 February 2020:

• foreign nationals (excluding permanent residents of Australia) who are in mainland China, will not be allowed to enter Australia
• Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family will still be able to enter Australia, as well as airline crews who have been using appropriate personal protective equipment
• All Australian citizens and permanent residents who do return from China must isolate themselves for a fortnight.

Additionally, the following isolation requirements apply:

• if you have travelled to Hubei Province within the past 14 days, you must isolate yourself until 14 days have elapsed after leaving Hubei Province
• if you have left, or transited through, mainland China on or after 1 February 2020 you must isolate yourself until 14 days after leaving China
• if you have been in close contact with a confirmed case of novel coronavirus, you must isolate yourself for 14 days after last contact with the confirmed case

Currently, there are no suspected or confirmed cases amongst Torrens University, THINK Education or Media Design School staff or students. 

Any students who have travelled through China in the last 14 days or are experiencing symptoms (including fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue and shortness of breath) should inform their Campus Director.

If students cannot attend class or cannot complete their assignments, we have asked our Program Directors to ensure flexibility, so we do not discriminate or disadvantage any students who voluntarily isolate themselves for 14 days. 

The institution will make special arrangements to accommodate students’ learning needs, so please do not hesitate to contact lecturers for assistance.

For further enquiries, you can contact Student Services at any time by calling 1300 575 803 or emailing studentservices@torrens.edu.au

For more information, visit Australian Government Department of Health or contact the Public Health Information Line on 1800 004 599. 

We will continue to update you as new information becomes available.

Our Responsibility

• Promoting good personal safety and security practices
• Ensure the security & safety of persons acting lawfully on campus
• Protection of campus property and facilities
• Responding to incidents and emergencies
• Providing after-hours emergency assistance and first aid
• Managing building access and building security

Student Responsibility

• Practise personal safety & situational awareness
• Report incidents, accidents, or safety concerns
• Follow reasonable instruction related to safety & security
• Look out for others, and be part of our safe community
• If in doubt please find out.
• Respect. Now. Always.

In an Emergency

• Dial triple zero (000)
  • If your life is being threatened
  • If someone is seriously ill or injured
  • If you just witnessed a serious incident
  • Dial triple zero (000) for emergency services (fire/ambulance/police).
• Alert Campus Staff
  • Warn anyone in immediate danger
  • Contain or manage the situation, if safe to do so
  • Raise the alarm by activating a 'Break Glass' alarm
  • Call emergency services on triple zero (000) and Campus Security (if known)
  • Follow emergency evacuation procedures

Campus General Safety

Your safety is our highest priority. To ensure you stay safe and know what to do please read through the information below;

To ensure you stay safe on and on campus we recommend you take the following precautions:

1. After hours emergency, call 000.
2. Wear your student ID card at all times
3. Never leave your belongings unattended
4. Do not bring unnecessary valuables to campus
5. Report suspicious behaviour or anything you feel may be unsafe
6. Report all injuries and incident to Student Services and complete an incident report form

If you need assistance or to report any medical conditions, please see student services (Eg. insulin, asthma inhaler, medication)

To ensure you stay safe on and off campus we recommend you take the following precautions:

1. Avoid being on campus or travelling alone at night
2. Be alert and aware of your surroundings
3. Avoid dark, vacant and deserted areas

If an incident does occur please let a member of staff know so we can support you and work alongside local police to minimise risk and promote safety.

Safe Travel Tips

• In an emergency, call 000 or use the nearest available help point or emergency button – know where these are.
• Never hesitate to ask your driver, for help or assistance if you need it.
• Always be aware of your surroundings and what is happening around you. Don’t spend too much time only looking at your phone or listening to your music at the expense of what is going on around you.
• Plan your journey before you start to minimise the amount of time you wait at stations or stops. Make sure family and friends know your route and where you are.
• At train stations, stay in well-lit areas in view of security cameras.
• On buses, it is usually better to sit at the front, closer to the driver. At night, ask the driver if you can be dropped closer to your destination. Some transport services offer this assistance in evening hours.

• At night stay in well-lit areas, and in carriages where there are lots of people.

Tips for travel on Sydney’s transport systems:

• www.transportnsw.info/travel-info/safety-security/safety-when-travelling-by-train
• www.transportnsw.info/travel-info/safety-security/safety-when-travelling-by-ferry
• https://transportnsw.info/travel-info/safety-security/safety-when-travelling-by-bus

Traveling safely in Melbourne:

https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/more/travelling-on-the-network/travelling-safely/

Tips for travel on Brisbane’s transport systems:

https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/traffic-transport/public-transport/buses/bus-safety

Safety and security on Adelaide’s public transport:

https://adelaidemetro.com.au/Using-Adelaide-Metro/Safety-Security

• All staff, student, visitors are required to respond to emergency alarms
• Become familiar with emergency alert tone’s or bells at your campus
• Become familiar with your nearest emergency exits, evacuation point, and who your emergency wardens are.

In the event of an emergency evacuation:

1. Stay calm, check for signs of immediate danger
2. Listen to instruction from wardens or via the PA system
3. Locate your closest exit (follow the green Exit signs)
4. Take only essentials, phone, wallet, keys, and medication
5. Go straight to evacuation point assembly area.

You will be notified of an emergency Shelter in Place by emergency services, or campus staff via building announcements or other mechanisms.

These procedures are implemented to ensure building occupants are protected from external threats, e.g. severe storms.

In event of shelter in place;

1. Remain calm
2. Stay inside the building
3. Follow instructions from staff and emergency services 

You will be notified of an emergency Lockdown by emergency services, or campus staff via building announcements or other mechanisms.

A lockdown may be instructed during situations such as the presence of a hostile intruder or threat inside or outside a building. A lockdown requires locking doors, windows, and barricading oneself to block entry to a campus facility, a classroom, or to an office suite.

1. In event of lockdown;
2. Remain calm
3. Follow instructions from staff  
4. Lock doors, windows, and barricade yourself into a safe area.

In case of an active shooter or armed attacker

These procedures are implemented in event of a threat or attack with a weapon;

1. Run (escape). Leave immediate area, if safe to do so
2. Hide (or barricade). If not safe to leave then hide, barricade and silence phones and other devices.
3. Fight (act). If you need to hide, constantly re-assess your options, to escape or hide in better location, and prepare to defence yourself as last resort. 

When safe, advise (tell) emergency services of your situation by dialing triple zero (000).

If a person is seriously ill or injured don't hesitate to call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance.

1. Call triple zero (000) and ask for an ambulance
2. Alert the closest First Aider or Campus Staff
3. Send people to flag and direct the ambulance on arrival

If you recognise signs of mental ill health, please;

1. Approach and ask if ok
2. Listen without judgement
3. Give support & information
4. Encourage them to get help with counsellors or professional help

If you require immediate support dial triple zero (000) or Lifeline 13 11 14

If you have experienced or witnessed a sexual assault or sexual harassment, we can help.

• Visit our Respect. Now. Always. Page for full information