In the Christchurch Girls’ High School, which asked 725 pupils whether they had been sexually harassed, almost 60% of the girls said they had.
None of the rape cases had been reported to police.
The Otago Daily Times asked the 39 secondary schools in Otago and Southland whether they intended to replicate the survey, and about the depth of their sexual harm support for their school communities.
Two schools responded.
Columba College principal Pauline Duthie said it was generally understood two out of three women would be subjected to harassment, unwanted sexual attention or assault in some form by the time they turned 18.
The school had no plans to do a survey specifically on sexual harm.
It felt it had gathered enough information about how its pupils were doing through other processes, such as a wellbeing survey it had carried out.
The school engaged in a variety of programmes exploring relationships and consent, such as the New Zealand Police Loves Me Not programme, which looked at preventing abusive behaviour in relationships.
Two counsellors and a clinical psychologist were available to assist pupils and self defence classes were offered to pupils.
"We constantly self-review our programmes in this area to make sure we are addressing need," she said.
Otago Girls’ High School acting principal Bridget Davidson said pupils were in the process of completing a general wellbeing survey and there were a variety of sexual harm programmes in place to help pupils.
The survey asked questions such as if pupils felt safe at school and if teachers cared for them.
Year 10 pupils studied the #MeToo movement and other women's issues.
They also had comprehensive education around consent in health and physical education classes and were offered self defence lessons.
Pupils in year 12 took part in the Loves Me Not programme and those in year 13 participated in the ACC Mates and Dates programme, which taught pupils how to identify inappropriate behaviour and have healthy relationships based on respect, negotiation and consent.
Four guidance counsellors and a health nurse were available for open, confidential and accessible help, Mrs Davidson said.
The school had referred pupils to Youth Aid and police when necessary, she said.
Otepoti Collective Against Sexual Abuse registered social worker Abby Harris said it recognised the challenges schools faced in supporting pupils who had experienced sexual harm.
There was a lack of specialist services for children and young people affected by sexual violence within Dunedin, she said.
