The University of Otago has taken a major step to address the issue of sexual harm among students, establishing the working group called Sexual Harm and Assault Response and Evaluation (SHARE). The aim of the group is to “investigate a co-ordinated response to any future reports of sexualised violence involving the University community, and in and around the campus and colleges.”
OUSA has been working in conjunction with the university to consider the quality of current policy and procedure and draft potential improvements, something the students’ association hopes will assuage complaints that they have not been active enough on the issue of sexual harm.
The group held its first hui at Toroa College in December, a day-long meeting bringing together the Proctor’s office, Student Health, Rape Crisis, staff from Halls of Residence, experts from the police and health organisations, victims, and activists. OUSA was represented by then-President Laura Harris and Welfare Officer Bryn Jenkins.
One student who was in attendance described the meeting as “Really exciting and very productive, there were a lot of great ideas being thrown around which we should see in the final report.”
The group is currently producing a draft policy right now, which will be followed by further consultation with students before any recommendations are made on changes or new processes. The final outcome of this report is expected by mid-June.
A second University working group, the “Healthy University Advisory Group”, established in 2015, is also producing reports on similar issues regarding ‘how to create a healthier, safer campus’.
“Student safety on campus has been one of my major strategic priorities and both the Healthy University Advisory Group and SHARE were established to increase health and well-being on our campus,” said Vice-Chancellor Harlene Hayne. “We have some great people on both of these groups and I am looking forward to their reports and recommendations.”