Monique Mulholland and Kyra Gillies (both 21) published a booklet as part of the Students Against Sexual Violence at Otago group after claiming there was a lack of support from the university following allegations of sexual assault.
The booklet details the women's own experiences of sexual violence and called on the university to introduce changes, including the creation of a female co-ordinator for victims and more leniency on academic deadlines for survivors.
The booklet also alleges the university threatened student magazine Critic it could face defamation if a story by Miss Gillies discussing sexual violence at the university was published.
Both the university and Critic deny the claim.
University of Otago vice-chancellor Prof Harlene Hayne said Critic asked the university for its opinion on the publication of the article.
''That opinion was that parts of the article could be defamatory to individuals who could be identified in the article, that it breached the privacy of people identified and was inaccurate in several places.''
The university urged ''extreme caution'' when details of sexual violence were published and when a court process was not in place for people accused as sexual offenders, Prof Hayne said.
The university took the concerns of the group seriously, but publishing the booklet could have harmful outcomes.
''Such an approach is malicious, and unfair to staff and other identifiable students in the university.''
Critic editor Lucy Hunter said it had media independence from the university and the decision was based on advice rather than a threat.
Miss Mulholland said she was sexually assaulted by another University of Otago student last year but police advised her there was a ''lack of physical proof'' when she reported the incident.
Otago Coastal area commander Inspector Jason Guthrie said police received a complaint in August 2016 relating to an incident in July that year.
''The matter was investigated and there was insufficient evidence to prosecute,'' he said.
Miss Mulholland said it was inappropriate the first person at the university to whom she could officially report the incident was proctor Dave Scott, because he was male.
When asked if the university would consider employing a woman for female students reporting sexual assault, director of campus and collegiate life services James Lindsay said the university was reviewing the matter.
Once feedback and best practice had been considered, possible changes could be made, he said.
Miss Mulholland said it was crucial the university implemented better academic support for survivors of sexual assault.
''I have struggled so much in the past year with university to the point that I haven't successfully completed a single semester. Twice now graduation has been deferred for me because of the struggles I have experienced.''
Miss Gillies said the Otago University Students' Association (OUSA) admitted it was failing at successfully delivering the Thursdays in Black campaign which aimed to end rape and violence.
OUSA president Hugh Baird said the association would discuss concerns about the campaign with the Students Against Sexual Violence at Otago group.
Prof Hayne said sexual violence was a problem throughout New Zealand and the university was not immune.
''As a residential university we have taken major steps in this area including reviewing our policies and procedures, trialling evidence-based interventions to reduce sexual assault, and establishing sexual-incident response teams in our colleges.''
The present Code of Student Conduct offered ''ample'' scope to discipline students found guilty of sexual assault and students had been excluded for wrongful sexual behaviour, she said.
The university was working with staff, students and members of the OUSA to create a policy which would offer further support to victims.
The Students Against Sexual Violence at Otago group planned to hold a public meeting, starting with a procession on campus tomorrow.
