Tuesday 8 May 2018 8:50pm
A group arrives at Te Whare Tāwharau last week during an open house-style launch. Photos: Sharron Bennett.
The University’s new drop-in centre for students seeking support and guidance related to their experiences of sexual violence or harassment has now opened its doors, following an official launch last week.
Te Whare Tāwharau, a place of shelter, hosted about 80 people throughout the afternoon last Tuesday – during an open house-style launch.
The launch date was chosen to coincide with Rape Awareness Week, and the Centre’s Academic Leader Dr Melanie Beres (of Sociology, Gender and Social Work) says this was an ideal time to open.
“We were very pleased to be a part of a range of activities on campus discussing the important issue of sexual violence.”
Te Whare Tāwharau Academic Leader Dr Melanie Beres talks to visitors during last week’s launch.
Dr Beres says several walking buses made the trip from the OUSA office to Te Whare Tāwharau on Leithbank to see the new space and meet the staff, with many visitors mentioning how warm and inviting the space was.
The centre, located on campus at 5 Leithbank, is the first of its kind in New Zealand. It is designed as a drop-in support and prevention centre for all members of the University community, people of all genders and sexualities. It is open daily from Monday to Friday for at least two hours.
It also has a website to provide information about the centre and an online means for students to make contact.
Members of the Te Whare Tāwharau team (from left) Academic Leader Dr Melanie Beres, Volunteer Coordinator Jordan Dougherty and Centre Coordinator Tarn Felton.
Dr Beres leads the centre alongside a Centre Coordinator (Tarn Felton) and Volunteer Coordinator (Jordan Dougherty) with plans to introduce volunteers in the second semester.
Te Whare Tāwharau is the result of extensive discussion and research at Otago over the past two years, involving students, staff, police and health professionals. It is part of the University’s collective efforts to tackle sexual violence and harassment on campus, and also to promote overall student wellbeing.
For more on the Te Whare Tāwharau, take a look at a previous story on Otago Bulletin Board.