Violence, harassment and discrimination

Violence

In New Zealand you are breaking the law if you hit, punch, kick or assault another person in any way, or if you have contact of a sexual nature with a person under 16 years of age or without the other person’s consent.

Violence is unacceptable wherever it happens and whoever the victim is. The New Zealand Police take all violence very seriously – call them if you need help (dial 111 in an emergency and ask for the Police).

The New Zealand government has a website that has links to organisations around New Zealand that support victims of family violence.  Find out more from www.areyouok.org.nz.

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Harassment and discrimination

Most international students enjoy their stay in New Zealand and the interaction they have with New Zealanders. New Zealand is a multicultural country and people are generally open and accepting of other cultures and ways of life. However, as is always the case, there are exceptions to this rule.

New Zealand has laws against harassment and discrimination. They are unacceptable practices in New Zealand and if you are affected by them while living and studying here, you should inform someone who can help you.

Below is a description of what constitutes discrimination and harassment in New Zealand law:

• discrimination occurs when a person is disadvantaged or treated less favourably than another person in the same or similar circumstances
• harassment is behaviour that is uninvited and humiliates, offends or intimidates someone.

Harassment and discrimination may be based on gender, marital status, religious belief, colour, race, ethnicity, disability, age, political opinion, employment status, family status, or sexual orientation to name a few examples.

The Human Rights Act 1993 makes harassment and discrimination unlawful.

Examples of discrimination could be not being employed or a landlord not wanting to rent their property to you because of your race or religion.

Examples of harassment could be a person making repeated offensive remarks about your race or religion, a person making fun of your accent or the way you speak, or someone repeatedly making offensive remarks about you.

If you are being harassed you can do the following:

• keep a record of the incidents that you find offensive
• talk it over with someone you trust, who will keep the information confidential. This may help clarify your best course of action
• confront the person who is harassing you and tell them that you find their behaviour offensive. Tell them that you do not like what they are doing and that it is unlawful. Tell them you want them to stop – otherwise you will complain. You can do this in person, in a letter, or through a student representative or other support person.

Don’t confront the alleged harasser if you don’t want to. Only do so if you feel confident and safe. If this doesn’t work, or is inappropriate, you can seek advice and assistance from:

• a racial/sexual harassment contact person (most education providers have a group of people appointed to this role)
• a manager or school counsellor
• the Human Rights Commission
• a professional disciplinary body (for harassment or discrimination from Police, Medical, Education or other professionals)
• the Employment Relations Service (if you have been harassed at work).

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Where to get further information

For further information or to make a complaint, refer to the Human Rights Commission.

The Human Rights Commission operates an InfoLine, staffed from 8.30am until 5.00pm Monday to Friday, plus an automated service accessible 24 hours, seven days a week. All calls are confidential.

The InfoLine service provides answers to general human rights enquiries, and provides advice on how to deal with disputes, including matters of racial harassment.

Call InfoLine toll free on 0800 4 YOUR RIGHTS (0800 496 877), or you can email: infoline@hrc.co.nz.

For more information, go to the Human Rights Commission website at www.hrc.co.nz.