Meld Community presents: Free screening and panel discussion for ‘The Hunting Ground’

Join us for a screening of the acclaimed US documentary The Hunting Ground followed by a panel discussion exploring topics and issues raised in the film and how it relates to international student life here in Australia.

What is The Hunting Ground? 

The Hunting Ground is a critically acclaimed feature documentary that chronicles the personal stories of students who have been sexually assaulted on American university campuses. Interweaving observational footage, expert insights and first-person testimonies, the film follows survivors pursuing both their education and justice in the face of institutional failure to respond effectively and appropriately to their reports.

This confronting exposé of sexual assault on American university campuses has sparked a national debate in the United States about rape culture, sexual consent and victim support.

*Trigger/content warning: the documentary covers sensitive topics like sexual harassment and assault on US college campuses. As such, it may be upsetting or triggering for some people. Please use your discretion when deciding to attend.

Why are we screening this?

On August 1, 2017, the Australian Human Rights Commission released a national report on sexual assault and harassment taking place at Australian universities. The first of its kind here in Australia, it was revealed that more than half of the 30,000 students surveyed had experienced or had been affected by sexual harassment in 2016 while another 1.6 per cent of those surveyed said they were sexually assaulted in a university setting.

The report was a wake-up call for many and universities have already begun to take swift action to ensure their campuses remain safe learning grounds for students.

In our part to help ‘change the course’, we are hosting this screening as part of Meld’s SEXtember campaign, with a focus this year on healthy relationships, including respect for yourself, your partner and those around you.

When and where is the event?  

The Hunting Ground screening and panel discussion will take place at Multipurpose Room 2 inside Kathleen Syme Library and Community Centre, located at 251 Faraday St, Carlton (a short walk away from the University of Melbourne).

The screening is scheduled Thursday, September 28 at 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

The event is FREE but you will need to register to attend. Please register by visiting our Eventbrite pagewhere more information about the screening and discussion can be found.

The campaign is part of a year-long PEER Project supported by the City of Melbourne through a community grant to help international students build healthy community, explore and find peer-support on issues around identity and gender, discuss common struggles and stereotypes, and gain the confidence to navigate current and future relationships.