The Education Minister has spoken out about violent hazing rituals at university colleges.

Student advocacy group End Rape on Campus has published a report entitled ‘The Red Zone’, detailing disturbing claims of abuse and degradation at university colleges nationwide.

The group says college management often turns a blind eye to reported incidents, and called for laws that allow colleges to self-govern to be changed.

The group wants oversight structures at colleges to be overhauled and a Federal Government taskforce to be created for sexual assault and harassment at colleges.

It also calls for the role of secondary schools in “feeding” students to the colleges to be reviewed.

Senator Birmingham said students subjected to violent hazing must tell the police.

“Assault is assault,” Senator Birmingham said.

“We have laws in place and we ought to make sure that people aren't just threatened or fined or sanctioned in a polite way for instances of assault.

“That's what we have criminal sanctions and charges for, and they ought to be pursued.

“The message has to be very, very clear that zero tolerance will be applied in terms of instances of assault on campuses, and that universities will help students go to the police or help students take action to make sure that this culture is changed.”