What is speak-up software, and how can it improve campus safety?

Speak-up software, otherwise known as an anonymous reporting platform, enables secure and anonymous reporting of concerns, issues, or incidents within an organisation or institution. For campuses, it provides students, staff, and faculty a safe channel to raise concerns about serious misconduct, harassment, and any other safety issues without fear of retaliation. By providing open communication and ensuring that concerns are heard and addressed promptly, speak-up software plays an important role in fostering a safe, inclusive and responsive campus environment.

How is anonymity guaranteed?

Elker is ISO 27001 certified, meaning our system adheres to the highest international standards of data protection. Students and staff can decide whether to remain anonymous or share personal details when reporting. When anonymity is selected, our platform ensures that no data, such as IP addresses, device specifications, or geographical locations that could potentially identify a whistleblower, is stored. Visit our security page for more information.

Are speak-up systems necessary for New Zealand universities?

Speak-up systems provide the structured reporting mechanisms that universities should implement under the Human Rights Act 1993. By enabling anonymous reporting, early trend detection, and trauma-informed case management, speak-up systems help institutions create safer campus environments and empower students to come forward without fear of retaliation.

How can universities use Elker's analytics to identify trends in sexual assault reports?

Elker's analytics dashboard provides universities with a comprehensive overview of reported incidents. By analysing this data, universities can identify patterns, high-risk areas or times, and emerging trends in sexual assault reports. This data-driven approach not only aids in understanding the current campus climate but also in formulating proactive strategies, awareness campaigns, and targeted interventions.

Universities

Tackle sexual harassment and assault on campus with speak-up

Elker equips higher education institutions with the tools to protect the safety and well-being of their students and staff.

Elker's iOS and Android apps for anonymous reporting in the workplace

Features

Secure reporting. Clear insights. Data-driven change.

Anonymous reporting

Receive truly anonymous disclosures from students and staff. End-to-end encryption allows for the protection of the reporter's identity.

Product showcase: Speak-up reporting system disclosure intake

Efficient triage and case management

Save countless hours of case management with automated routing, categorisation and alerts. Streamline the entire process of handling reports, from investigation to resolution.

Product showcase: Performance and Conduct Static

Real-time analytics with de-identified data

Identify trends in reported incidents, enabling proactive initiatives to enhance campus safety. Customise analytics dashboards to analyse specific times, departments, or types of incidents, providing a detailed understanding of campus safety.

Product showcase: psychosocial hazards and risks identified

Post-incident surveys

Automate follow-up surveys to understand how the resolution process was managed. Use survey data to continually refine and improve your approach to handling incidents.

Product showcase: Feedback and suggestions

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Security and data protection for students and staff

ISO 27001 certified
SOC2 attested
AES-256 encryption for data in transit and at rest
Regional data hosting to meet local data privacy requirements
Third-party security audits and penetration testing

The prevalence of sexual assault in Australian universities

1 in 20

Students

have been sexually assaulted in Australian universities

1/3

Universities

have implemented transparent measures and reporting processes

4.5%

Incidents

were formally reported

Speak-up software is essential for universities to combat sexual harassment and assault on campus. Elker facilitates the early detection of issues by providing a secure and anonymous platform for reporting incidents.

A call to action for safer campuses

A 2019 University of Otago study revealed alarming rates of sexual violence in New Zealand's tertiary institutions, with 28% of surveyed students reporting at least one form of sexual assault during their university experience, and 14.9% reporting experiences that meet the definition of rape. Demographic disparities are significant too, with Māori, female and LGBTQ+ students reporting high rates of sexual harassment and assault on campus.

Tertiary institutions have obligations under the Human Rights Act 1993 to provide safe environments free from discrimination and harassment. New Zealand's tertiary institutions must prioritise developing clear reporting mechanisms, implementing consistent sexual misconduct policies, and addressing underreporting of harassment and assault on campus.

Implementing Elker provides New Zealand tertiary institutions with anonymous reporting that reduces barriers to speaking up while enabling early detection of concerning patterns. The platform centralises investigations and simplifies case management, minimising the need for survivors to repeatedly recount their experiences to multiple staff and platforms. Its group reporting feature empowers students to speak out collectively rather than individually, particularly valuable in university settings where victims often know their abusers as friends or acquaintances.

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