10 things we hate about the University (and how it responds to sexual violence)

content warning: sexual violence, see support services here 

We tried to pick just one issue to critique the University of Otago on this year for Sexual Violence Awareness Week but there were too many and we couldn’t decide on just one. Here’s a list of the top 10 issues with the way the University of Otago handles sexual violence on campus. 

Lack of student consultation on the policy review

The University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy was set to be reviewed in May this year. However, as of 23 September 2021 there has been no broad student consultation on the policy, nor has there been any indication that students will be consulted on a broad scale at any point in the review process. The Sexual Misconduct Policy most directly affects students, who should have the opportunity to reflect on the policy and how it can be changed to better serve them.

Lack of transparency around case numbers and outcomes

Under current policies, the University of Otago has no responsibility to provide public updates on the numbers of investigations and disciplinary procedures undertaken in regard to the Sexual Misconduct Policy. This makes it hard for the media and activist groups like ours to understand the extent of the issue of sexual violence on campus. This information would provide a clearer and more cohesive picture of the campus climate as well as set a precedent for universities around the country to implement transparent processes regarding sexual misconduct complaints. We believe the University should need to (anonymously and ensuring it upholds confidentiality) report on the statistics of reports and disciplinary procedures undertaken using the Sexual Misconduct Policy on campus.

Students expressing feeling let down by the process

Recently the Otago Daily Times reported that a group of students who had made a sexual misconduct complaint against an individual to the university were dissatisfied with the outcome and felt let down by the process. One student felt so dissatisfied that they stated they wished they had never come forward. The University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy should be survivor-led and prioritise the needs of the students and survivors it serves. If the University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy and the processes surrounding it are letting survivors down to the degree that they wish they had never come forward, the University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy needs to change. 

Failure to address historic harms

Last year, we said that the University of Otago is 151 years old, and has likely seen 151 years of sexual violence on campus. The University has never taken responsibility for its role in creating a culture that excuses violence on campus. The University has never recognised the historic harms caused to survivors of sexual violence on campus over decades. We believe the University should recognise historic sexual violence on campus.

Respondents leaving University halts investigations

Last year using data gathered through the Official Information Act, Critic Te Arohi reported that when cases of sexual misconduct were upheld (i.e. concluded to be truthful), the perpetrator often left the University before they could be disciplined. This means that perpetrators of sexual violence can leave the University and never be disciplined for their actions. Further to this, if a student under investigation for sexual misconduct leaves the university prior to the investigation being completed the investigation stops. This means there isn’t even a chance for a complaint to be upheld and there is an inconclusive outcome for the survivor who made the complaint. This is a massive failure to uphold effective, survivor-led processes that ensure clear, conclusive, and fair outcomes for survivors.

Lack of independent accountability measures

The University of Otago, as with other tertiary providers across the country, have no independent accountability measures to ensure that they are following their policies and providing the most equitable outcomes for students. This lack of independent oversight is a concern. Since 2019, Thursdays in Black Otago has been calling for an independent body to monitor and report on the institutional response of New Zealand Universities to reports of sexual violence on campus. Recently, Stop Sexual Harassment on Campus (SSHOC) Aotearoa have launched a campaign calling for change. Read their full report here, and add your name to their petition calling for change here. 

Each college has a different policy on consent education workshops

Te Whare Tāwharau run huge numbers of workshops in Residential Colleges during O-Week and the weeks following. These workshops are specifically tailored to students living in Residential Colleges and stimulate discussions around consent. These workshops are a great initiative focused on sexual violence prevention within colleges, however, not every college mandates these workshops for their students. At some residential colleges these consent workshops will be very popular, but at others the uptake will be minimal. Ensuring strong uptake of these workshops during or soon after O-Week will ensure students are knowledgeable about consent from the beginning of their time at university.

Lack of understanding of policy, processes, and outcomes

We do not believe the University has not invested sufficient time and resources in providing education to students about the Sexual Misconduct Policy, and their rights and responsibilities under it. This means that students are drastically uninformed about the policy and the way it impacts their campus lives. Additionally, potential disciplinary action that may happen resultant of the policy is not readily available. This lack of information is concerning and unsafe for both those affected by sexual violence and those responding to complaints. 

Language is inaccessible and hard to digest

Most students aren’t a fan of reading dreary university policy in their spare time, even law students. Policies aren’t designed to be digestible, enjoyable to read, or accessible to the average student. While some policies can stay this way, the University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy is the means by which students know their rights, the support they’re entitled to, and how investigative processes work at the university. In order to ensure students are aware of everything relevant to them under the Sexual Misconduct Policy (spoiler alert: everything the Sexual Misconduct Policy covers) there needs to be a digestible and accessible version for students.

This blog post won’t make that much of a difference

For decades, student activists on this campus have used a variety of methods to ask the University to make constructive changes to improve the safety and wellbeing of students and staff. Thursdays in Black Otago is the most recent iteration of this. While small incremental changes have taken place during this time, progress is slow. So, the University of Otago is unlikely to bring in all of these changes. 

But that doesn’t mean Thursdays in Black Otago, and other groups around the country, aren’t going to stop calling for change in this space. You can add your voice to the call for an independent body here and keep up to date with everything TIB does here.

Words by Rebecca Shepherd and Kayli Taylor