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.
Such evidence may include:
- A forensic medical examination
- Clothing or bedding
- CCTV footage from the University or from your Residential College (many of which are deleted after 30 days if not saved)
- Social media or text messages (many of which get deleted in time, if you don’t actively save them)
Forensic medical examinations
It is your choice whether or not to have a medical examination, the extent of that examination, and whether or not you want your information released to the police. You maintain control over all these matters.
'Victims Information' is a good New Zealand website for people affected by sexual harm (the affected party). The website includes a video explaining the process of the forensic medical examination.
It is ideal for forensic medical examinations to take place as soon as possible after the assault, and ideally before you have showered, changed clothes or been to the toilet. However, a medical examination can still be beneficial for preventing disease or pregnancy. It can also be helpful for assessing your wellbeing at any time, and some DNA evidence may still be found up to 2 weeks after the assault.
Organising a forensic medical examination
To organise a medical examination, contact the police, or The Sexual Harm Assessment Clinic which is based at Dunedin Hospital.
Contact details for the Sexual Harm Assessment Clinic
Freephone 0800 114 411 (within New Zealand only)
Email SHAC@southerndhb.govt.nz
Or freephone via the Dunedin Hospital Sexual Health Clinic on 0800 742 546 (within New Zealand only)
Contact details for the Sexual Abuse Assessment and Treatment Service (SAATS)
You can also access the Sexual Abuse Assessment and Treatment Service.
Details for the Sexual Abuse Assessment and Treatment Service