A whole campus approach to sexual violence: the University of Otago Model

ABSTRACT

Universities across the world have been increasingly focused on responding to campus sexual violence. Developing a response is complex and involves addressing policy, support for those impacted by sexual violence and prevention. This manuscript outlines the structure and development of the University of Otago’s whole campus approach to sexual violence that includes staff and students and addresses policy, support and prevention work. Development of this model began in 2016 with the input from academic and general staff alongside students. It included the work of several working parties, a whole campus meeting about sexual violence, policy development and funding allocation. In 2018 the model has been implemented. The model will be described with a focus on the theoretical evidenced-based approach to the development of the model and the theory of change guiding ongoing evaluation.

KEYWORDS:

• Campus rape
• sexual assault
• student services
• policy
• sexual misconduct

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Harlene Hayne, Jeff Foote for comments on initial drafts of this manuscript. We also wish to recognise the many people involved in the consultation, design, development and implementation of the University of Otago Model.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.