AUT offers students harassment reporting tool

AUT students can now  report bullying, sexual harassment and assault anonymously through an online reporting form on the AUT website.

AUT's student services director, Joanna Scarbrough, says the reporting form is easy to use and gives students the option of making an anonymous complaint or submitting their contact details to receive immediate support from a dedicated staff member.

“We’re not collecting students details because it’s through the website. We wanted to give the power to the student, or to the member of public, or to the staff member to choose whether they wanted to have their details attached or not.”

When a student does disclose their details,  the university will want to get in contact with them, says Ms Scarbrough.

“Making a complaint is really hard. It’s not something that’s done lightly. I think to be able to describe and work with the student around the next steps is important.”

These steps can range from the option of moving into a separate stream from another student, to free legal advice and help with making a complaint to the police.

Unlike a formal complaint, anonymous complaints do not result in an investigation against a specific person. Scarbrough says that anonymous submissions will be addressed through education and preventative training.

“It may be that we need to do a consent campaign. It may be that we need to do a campaign on cultural appropriateness.”

Legal researcher and #metoo advocate Zoe Lawton says it is really good to have different reporting options for people.

“There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Some people might only want to report anonymously. Some people might want to report and name the person and go through a more formal process.”

Although the university is restricted in what action it can take on anonymous complaints, Ms Lawton says she feels it is better to have the option there than not at all.

“Anonymous reporting can help to bring about wider cultural change.”

AUT has confirmed that any information submitted is secure and confidential.

The online reporting form is the on the AUT website under Student Life – Student support services – Feedback. Students do not need to login to make a complaint.