OUSA has finally developed their sexual misconduct policy, following allegations of sexual abuse within OUSA in 2009, and again in OUSA affiliated clubs in 2019 and 2020.
The policy, which began development in 2019, is now in its final stages. It aims to achieve “a process to ensure complaint[s] are appropriately addressed,” and provides an outline for doing so for clubs affiliated with OUSA.
The policy also encompasses racial harassment, outlining OUSA’s “zero tolerance” for sexual misconduct and racial harassment, and making a commitment to achieving “a world free from sexual violence” and racial harassment.
OUSA hopes that the policy will create “a degree of responsibility and accountability for Executives and club members to follow when participating in club events and media,” as well as a process for dealing with formal and general complaints of sexual misconduct.
An OUSA representative noted that the development of the policy was a “lengthy process,” that occurred over the year, involving multiple meetings with individuals in OUSA and the Executive, as well as discussions in the Policy committee.
Clubs Development Officer Sarah Taylor and Student Support Manager Sage Burke were among those consulted in the writing process. The policy has since been reviewed by the OUSA Exec—including newly elected Clubs and Societies representative Dushanka—and Thursdays in Black.
Currently, the policy is up for review on the OUSA website and noticeboard, and is subject to feedback from any student or group.
Those with questions or submissions on the policy are able to email the Administrative Vice-President Georgia Mischefski-Gray at adminvp@ousa.org.nz.