Content warning: this web page contains references to sexual harm and gender-based violence. Support is available from our Safer Communities Office for any members of our community who may need it.

This week student newspaper Honi Soit published a story about the way the University responds to and prevents sexual harm and gender based violence, including the first-hand experience of a student (name and identifying details changed). Following media coverage about its complaint to the SRC's Publications Committee concerning the accuracy and fairness of Hoini Soit's reporting, the University has published its statement online.

The full statement is below:

We acknowledge Honi Soit’s editorial independence and the crucial role student journalists play in reporting on sexual harm and bringing student experiences to light. At no point did we request changes to Lily’s story. 

We believe Honi Soit’s reporting in this instance breached basic journalistic principles of accuracy and fairness, and misrepresented University data and processes in a way that risked discouraging victim-survivors from seeking support. Despite repeated requests over several days to Honi, the University's media office was not given the key details until three hours before deadline and the editors ultimately chose not to include any of our response in the print edition.

Fair and accurate reporting on this serious issue is essential because we want to ensure that every student who has experienced sexual harm or gender-based violence feels able to report it and access the help they need. The factual errors risk doing real harm and undermining years of work by the University to improve and build confidence and trust in our response and wellbeing services.

The University's deputy registar has made a formal complaint through the SRC’s established publications-governance process for review, seeking corrections to inaccurate descriptions of University data and processes, publication of the University’s response for the print readership, and constructive engagement with the relevant University teams. The registrar’s involvement is because of their oversight of the Student Affairs Unit that manages sexual harm complaints.

We’re extremely concerned for Lily's wellbeing and take seriously her experience of the University’s reporting process. We have sought to ensure Lily is aware of the support options available, either from the University or elsewhere, and our Safer Communities staff remain available for a confidential conversation with her to understand her needs and concerns and connect her with support, including helping explore any reporting options that she currently feels comfortable with.