Harassment, bullying and threatening behaviour

Students can receive confidential advice and support if experiencing threatening, inappropriate, and concerning behaviour.

Contact the team at Tauria—Student Interest and Conflict Resolution if you have a concern or need help with things like safety planning, managing the impact on your studies, referrals to specialist services, and restorative processes.
You can also talk to hall staff if you’re in University accommodation.
Campus Security is also available to help with your safety and security concerns.

There are also a range of ways to raise concerns about student or staff conduct.

Raise a concern or complaint

Inappropriate boundaries and unwanted attention

Sometimes, you may establish friendships or connections that are welcomed on both sides but, over time, interactions become unusual and unwanted.

If someone else is increasing their contact with you to the point where it’s becoming uncomfortable, upsetting or obsessive, then it may be time to get support.

Reach out to the team at Tauria—Student Interest and Conflict Resolution for advice about how to handle the situation.

Harassment and stalking

Harassment is unwanted and repeated behaviour that makes you feel unsafe, distressed or threatened. Examples are loitering, unwanted contact, distributing unwanted material (including electronically) or knowingly leaving unwanted material where you will find it. Threats or physical confrontation can also be harassment.

Stalking is persistent contact or attention that is intrusive. It is not a normal behaviour, and can be surprising and frightening.

If you find that you are being stalked, there are four things you might want to do:

Cut off all contact with the stalker and block them on social media (take screenshots of any concerning messages first).
Tell other people about what’s happening, not to engage with the stalker, and to note anything they see or observe.
Increase your own protection, improve your home security and make sure that your personal information is locked down.
Connect with support from Tauria—Student Interest and Conflict Resolution or Police.

Bullying

Bullying is a deliberate, harmful behaviour that involves a power imbalance. It is not a one-off act or comment. Bullying is more prominent towards members of minority groups, and can significantly impact someone's mental health and overall wellbeing.

Bullying occurs for various reasons. Perhaps the person who bullies does not realise the impact of their actions. Perhaps they were bullied and have learned the behaviour. Perhaps they want to feel powerful. Perhaps they need help themselves.

Whether you are being bullied or you think you are bullying others, the team at Tauria—Student Interest and Conflict Resolution can help you figure out how to address the behaviour.

Violent or threatening behaviour

Violent or threatening behaviour is never okay. If you feel able to tell the person to stop, and say "No", then do so. If not, find a safe place, call Police, 111, and Campus Security—0800 800 8888.

Don’t engage with people who are confronting or aggressive.
Call out inappropriate behaviour, rumours, gossip and offensive remarks.
If you’re in danger and need immediate help but it’s not safe to talk, call 111, stay silent, and follow the instructions to connect to police. If you’re calling from a mobile phone, stay silent and listen for the 'press 55' prompt for help.

Abuse at home

In some situations, people living together engage in intimidating or harmful behaviours towards other members of their household. This doesn’t always equate to physical violence—abuse can be emotional, too.

Examples of domestic abuse are:

controlling someone, such as their finances, friendships, social media
damaging someone’s relationships or reputation
harassing or stalking someone in person or online
calling someone names
putting someone down
manipulating or intimidating someone
deliberately isolating someone.

If you think you’re experiencing domestic violence but aren’t sure, use Are You Okay’s Check it out tool. If you are experiencing domestic violence:

talk to someone
go somewhere safe
access support
consider accessing protection.

If there is the potential that your environment could be unsafe then have a safety plan. Know how to safely access your keys, bank account and money, and which safe places you can go to if needed. Have an emergency bag.

Find out more about recognising and dealing with domestic and family violence.

Community services for domestic violence

Women's Refuge—call 0800 733 843. Provides safe spaces for women with centres in Wellington, Hutt Valley and Porirua.
Te Whare Rokiroki, Māori Women's Refuge (Wellington)—call 0800 733 843
Are You OK?—call 0800 456 450. For information about safety in relationships, or help for people who are concerned their behaviour is hurting others.
Shakti—call 0800 Shakti. A non-profit organisation serving migrant and refugee women of Asian, African and Middle Eastern origin.

Community services for other concerning behaviour

There are a number of services available if you’re experiencing harassment, bullying or abuse, or you’re worried about someone who is.

Are you OK?—for information about safety in relationships, or help for people who are concerned their behaviour is hurting others.
Pink Shirt Day—information and resources about bullying.
Netsafe—tools to deal with online abuse and harassment, including cyberbullying.
Manaaki Tāngata Victim Support—information and resources to help people who experiencing harassment, stalking or abuse, and making a Police report.