June 24 (Bloomberg) -- Australia reassured the Indian government of the safety of students studying at Australian universities after several assaults.

Lisa Paul, federal secretary for education, employment and workplace relations, met with Indian officials in New Delhi yesterday to discuss support strategies, including a helpline and Web site where students can anonymously raise concerns.

Violent crime against Indian students has risen by a third in the past year, including an attack in the southeastern city of Melbourne that left a 25-year-old student in a coma. Indian students staged protests in Melbourne following the violence and Australia’s government has condemned the attacks.

The helpline, available weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., began in May and is staffed by trained volunteers fluent in Hindi and English, Victoria Police said in a statement.

To contact the reporter for this story: Phoebe Sedgman at psedgman@bloomberg.net.

Last Updated: June 24, 2009 01:36 EDT