Raising concerns about a staff member's behaviour

Information for students who want to make a complaint or raise a concern about a staff members behaviour or conduct.

If you have concerns about the behaviour or conduct of a Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington staff member, there are ways to address them. Harmful or inappropriate behaviour by staff is unacceptable, and we want our community to feel safe to speak up and be heard. There are a range of pathways available for students to raise and escalate issues.

Communicate with the person (or people) directly

Before making a complaint, in most circumstances students are expected to try and resolve the issue themselves if you feel comfortable doing so. This is often the fastest way to resolve concerns, and even though it can feel a little scary there is a lot of support available.

If you feel safe and comfortable, try talking directly with the person involved. It’s often the quickest way to resolve things. You can explain what’s happened, how it’s affected you, and what you’d like to happen next. You, and the other person, would be welcome to bring a support person with you.

If you feel unsure about how to approach this conversation, take some time to plan how the conversation might go. Our restorative conversation advice might provide some insights about the best approach for you to take.

If something is said or done in class that might be inappropriate conduct by a staff member you could also consider talking to your class representative.

Pathways to help you raise a concern

If you aren’t satisfied with the outcome of your conversation, or don’t feel comfortable raising an issue with the staff member directly, there are services who can help.

You can seek advice or support at any stage by reaching out to the Tauria—Student Interest and Conflict Resolution team.

They can talk to you about your concerns in confidence, help you work out the best options, and tell you about complaints pathways and processes. The only reason Tauria—Student Interest would breach confidence is if there are imminent concerns about someone’s safety, in which case we’d need to take appropriate action to ensure everyone is safe. You can read the University’s privacy notice here.

Contacting the Tauria-Student Interest team does not commit you to making a complaint.

Independent advice

You can also raise your concerns and seek advice on university processes from the VUWSA Advocates, who are independent to the University.

Advice and support for your student experience

You can also reach out to the Āwhina, Pasifika Student Success, or International Student Success teams for advice and cultural support around your student experience. If needed, they can connect you with the right additional support.