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Deciding to report is a personal decision to make.
We want you to know that University of Canterbury takes disclosures and reports of harmful sexual behaviour seriously. We want you to feel safe and confident to speak up and to be heard. Students and have staff have several options if they choose to disclose or report harmful sexual behaviour.
Support Services who can guide you on reporting options
While you might have an idea on which step you wish to take, UC Support Services can provide guidance and support to help you explore your options.
For Students
For Staff
There are reporting options for staff including accessing support services and processes for making a complaint. Please refer to the Staff Intranet for further information.
Reporting Options
You have the right to decide which of the below reporting options you wish to follow, if any.
Make a Disclosure
You can make a disclosure of Harmful Sexual Behaviour to a University support service/person. This does not initiate a formal complaint, rather it is an opportunity to tell a trained person what has happened, explore your support options, and understand the different reporting paths. This may be the first step you wish to take before making a formal complaint.
Make a Police Report
Everyone has the right to make a Police report if they have experienced harmful sexual behaviour. You can make initial contact with Police on 111 for an emergency, or 105 for a non-emergency. If you prefer you can ask someone else to do that for you. If calling, tell the person answering you wish to report sexual violence. They will arrange a time for you to visit the Police station or for someone to come and visit you.
Alternatively, you can go to your nearest Police station and tell the person at the front desk you would like to report sexual violence. You can request to speak with an officer who identifies with a particular identity that makes you feel the most comfortable, and wherever possible this will be arranged.
If you are not sure about making a formal report to the Police, you can also talk to them about that too. If you do decide to tell Police, the following link provides an overview of what to expect.
The link below outlines the step by step process for reporting to the Police, including videos outlining:
- How to make a report to the police
- Preliminary interview
- Medical examination
- Formal interview
Make an anonymous report
If you wish to make an anonymous report, you can do so through the 'Report It' webpage. You will be asked to complete an online form which allows the University to collect information about the issue you wish to raise. The ‘Report It’ webpage contains information about the process and what happens when you submit an anonymous report.
Make a formal complaint
You can make a formal complaint about any form of harmful sexual behaviour by a University of Canterbury student or staff member if it happened during a University activity, on University property (including the Halls of Residence), or in any situation that has a clear connection to the University’s responsibilities.
Formal complaints should be sent to concerns@canterbury.ac.nz
Students must submit the formal complaint in writing, clearly stating:
(a) That the complaint is a formal complaint;
(b) The identity of the person raising the complaint, and how best to contact them (including any communication access needs);
(c) The basis for the complaint;
(d) If known, the name of person, faculty, or service unit which is the subject of the complaint;
(e) A description of the events that have given rise to the complaint;
(f) Actions (if any) you have taken since the incident that has given rise to your complaint; and
(g) Any outcomes sought as a result from the complaint.
You should also provide any relevant evidence.
Your complaint will be triaged and referred to the appropriate team at University of Canterbury. If the complaint is about behaviour by a staff member, then it will be referred to People & Culture. If the complaint is about another Student it will be referred to the Proctors.
At any time throughout the process, before a decision is made, you may choose to withdraw your formal complaint. This should be communicated in writing to concerns@canterbury.ac.nz.
In some cases, including where there is a significant risk to Members of the University Community, the University may still continue its investigation of the Formal Complaint. Your wishes will be taken into consideration and any decision to investigate will be determined by the Vice-Chancellor in consultation with the Harmful Sexual Behaviour Prevention & Response Lead.
During this process you will be provided with wellbeing and academic support should you need it.
The University of Canterbury acknowledges that Accommodation Partners have their own policies, processes (e.g. investigation) and outcomes in relation to conduct that occurs when in engaging in Halls of Residence activities or on Halls of Residence premises. Accommodation Partners are independent from the University and as such the University cannot direct or require Accommodation Partners to take any action.
However, this does not prevent you from raising a formal complaint with the University of Canterbury.
The University of Canterbury acknowledges that Accommodation Partners have their own policies, processes (e.g. investigation) and outcomes in relation to conduct that occurs when in engaging in Halls of Residence activities or on Halls of Residence premises. Accommodation Partners are independent from the University and as such the University cannot direct or require Accommodation Partners to take any action.
However, this does not prevent you from raising a formal complaint with the University of Canterbury.
The University of Canterbury acknowledges that UCSA have their own policies, processes (e.g. investigation) and outcomes in relation to conduct that occurs when in engaging UCSA activities or on UCSA premises. UCSA is independent from the University and as such the University cannot direct or require UCSA to take any action.
However, this does not prevent you from raising a formal complaint with the University of Canterbury.
The University of Canterbury acknowledges that UCSA have their own policies, processes (e.g. investigation) and outcomes in relation to conduct that occurs when in engaging UCSA activities or on UCSA premises. UCSA is independent from the University and as such the University cannot direct or require UCSA to take any action.
However, this does not prevent you from raising a formal complaint with the University of Canterbury.
