Knox's board of governors, which took control in 2015, would not comment on any claims of assault that happened before that date. [Source: Otago University]

A former student who lived at New Zealand’s Otago University hostel claims she was raped in her room five years ago but didn’t tell anyone because she believed her complaint would be dismissed.

Her allegations come after a series of claims published in the Otago student magazine, Critic, from women who say there is a toxic culture at Knox College and sexual assault and harassment are not taken seriously.

Olivia Montgomery said that on her second day at Knox College, the man in the room next door burst into her room at 2am and offered her oral sex.

A few weeks later she said she was raped in her room by an Otago student and former Knox resident.

She said two complaints she made about the aggressive behaviour were not treated seriously and that’s why she didn’t report the rape.

A person involved with managing Montgomery’s complaints would not be interviewed but in a statement strongly denied she wasn’t taken seriously.