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This page outlines several ways you can make a complaint about sexual harm. We can support you when making a complaint.

Make a complaint to the police

  • Call 111 if an assault has just happened, or
  • Call 105 for non-emergency reports

Te Whare Tāwharau are here to support and help you if you wish to make a complaint to the police.

Make a complaint to the University

Te Whare Tāwharau can help you make a complaint, whether it is against another student or a staff member.

If the complaint is about another student

Contact the Proctor

You (or anyone supporting you) can simply ask the Proctor to investigate the allegation by:

  • Emailing the Proctor and asking for an appointment to discuss an allegation of sexual harm
  • Telephone the Proctor’s office to ask for an appointment to discuss an allegation of sexual harm
  • Contacting Te Whare Tāwharau and we can discuss your options and  arrange for the Proctor to investigate the matter for you

Get details on what a Proctor's investigation process may look like

Contact details for the Proctor

Email proctor@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 479 4888
Mob +64 21 414 248

Other options for making a complaint about another student

  • You can speak to the warden of your college (if applicable)
  • Tell any trusted staff member and ask them to help you make a complaint

If the complaint is about a university employee

You can make a complaint to Human Resources.

You may want to tell a trusted staff member and ask them to help you make a complaint

Human Resources contact

Kelly O'Kane
Employment Relations Manager, Human Resources
Tel +64 3 479 8554
Email kelly.okane@otago.ac.nz

Preserving evidence

Whether you choose to have the sexual harm investigated by the police or by the University Proctor (or even if you just want time to decide), it is often a good idea to preserve any evidence you have of the alleged harm.

Get more information on preserving evidence

Other options for dealing with sexual harm allegations

If you do not want to lay a formal complaint, there are other options for dealing with allegations of sexual harm within university processes.

These options are:

  • Pastoral care conversations
  • Mediation
  • A tikanga-led process

More information on these other options for dealing with sexual harm allegations

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