Toxic culture of sex, drinking and bullying

Teachers at New Zealand’s top broadcasting school did not harass, bully or discriminate against students, an independent report has found.

But the external review by a top lawyer into New Zealand Broadcasting School in Christchurch reveals a toxic learning environment where sexual harassment, bullying and harmful behaviour was rife among students – with tutors failing to keep it in check.

Students interviewed described a ‘‘Lord of the Flies’’ atmosphere, where bullying, harassment, and heavy drinking was rife.

Although outside the scope of the review, the culture at Otautahi House – Broadcasting School’s main accommodation block – was heavily criticised, by students and by the report’s author.

Hazing and binge-drinking at ‘‘initiation’’ events were also found to be causing harm.

The report advised Ara should discourage these events – held at the beginning and end of the university year – as they encouraged under-age drinking and unsafe behaviour.

In one case, a student said a lack of pastoral care meant bullying and harassment were allowed to grow at the broadcasting school, and described their experience as ‘‘traumatic’’.

Others said a ‘‘boys’ club’’ atmosphere emboldened much of the bullying and sexual harassment from male students, a number of whom would ‘‘leer’’ at the girls and make derogatory comments. One said a pyramid chart ranking students in popularity had been taped to the wall and must have been seen by tutors, but was not removed.

The five-month review, by Christchurch QC Richard Raymond, also found Ara Institute of

Canterbury, which runs the broadcasting school, had inadequate policies and processes for bullying and harassment and made help hard to find for students in need.

In his report, released yesterday, Raymond said he had received ‘‘no information’’ about harassment, discrimination, or sexual harassment by tutors at the school.

The Ara Academic Staff of Canterbury (AASC) group, which represents some of the staff and tutors at the broadcasting school were pleased serious allegations against staff have ‘‘proved to be unfounded and, in some instances, completely false’’.