Here are some other options that are available to you if you do not want to make a complaint related to sexual harm.
Pastoral care conversations
You can ask either your Course Coordinator, Head of Department or the Proctor to have a conversation with the respondent (the person alleged to have committed the sexual harm) about their alleged conduct.
This is not a disciplinary process. The respondent (person accused of sexual harm) will not receive any formal warning or sanction. There will be no finding that harm has actually occurred.
This process is designed for ‘generalised conduct’ which does not involve a specific allegation of sexual assault or sexual harassment, but which is a response to conduct which is inappropriate, or which makes you feel uncomfortable.
This process is most useful when the person acting inappropriately is unaware that their actions are crossing boundaries, and they are likely to change their behaviour once they are made aware of the impact it is having on you.
Contact the Proctor
Dave Scott
Tel +64 3 479 4888
Mob +64 21 414 248
Email proctor@otago.ac.nz
Mediation
Mediation is a facilitated discussion between you and the respondent (the person alleged to have committed the sexual harm), where you can make your feelings known to them in the hope that doing so will change their behaviour.
Mediation is often not an appropriate process for allegations of sexual harm, especially if there is disagreement over any aspect of the allegation, such as whether or not consent was given.
But this is an option for those few cases that are deemed appropriate, and which can be completed safely for both parties.
The University Mediator is Jenifer Anderson, she can be contacted via the University’s Conflict Resolution and Mediation Service.
Contact the University Mediator
Email mediation@otago.ac.nz
Tel +64 3 479 5679
G09 Scott Shand House
A tikanga-led process
The respondent (person accused of sexual harm) may request a tikanga-led pathway, and the affected party (the person affected by sexual harm) can choose whether they would like to participate in this process. If the affected party chooses to participate, they can decide how they would like to participate, for example, in person or by written submission.
Find out more about the tikanga-led process in the Student Conduct Statute 2021