Students welcome new UCT sexual misconduct policy

THE student representative council (SRC) of the University of Cape Town (UCT) has welcomed the approval of a Sexual Misconduct Policy, for its “survivor-centred approach”. It replaces the Sexual Offences Policy and the Sexual Harassment Policy.

“Most notably, we are optimistic about the policy’s survivor-centred approach which we believe will ensure survivors receive the support they need without re-traumatisation.

“We call upon all structures of the university to ensure that the policy is effectively implemented,” SRC president Declan Dyer said.

The finalisation of new disciplinary procedures for sexual misconduct has also been described as a major development with regard to the university’s response to sexual offences. Last year a lecturer in the university’s actuarial sciences department came under fire following allegations of sexual misconduct dating back to 2012, after a tweet by a former student.

UCT deputy vice-chancellor for transformation Professor Loretta Feris said: “This policy is fundamentally important for the university and it would not have been possible without the support and endorsement of vice-chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng who made tackling issues of sexual and gender-based violence a priority for the UCT executive.”

The procedural rules have changed the disciplinary process by mandating a process that minimises trauma for survivors, further supported by the right to legal representation for survivors.

The sexual offences ad hoc tribunal (AHT), launched in September 2019, said of the 36 backlogged cases reported in the preceding years prior to its establishment, 20 cases had been finalised by March 2020.

“The rest are ready to proceed to trial. Of the 32 cases that were reported post the establishment of the AHT, 11 are trial ready (pre-hearings have been concluded),” Feris said in her March update.

She has now welcomed the formalising of the tribunal. “The most innovative aspect of the new procedural rules is the synergising of disciplinary processes for both staff and students before a special tribunal that deals with sexual and genderbased violence, the first of its kind in the country. The specialisation of the tribunal panel members will ensure best outcomes for both staff and students. The singular focus on only sexual misconduct disciplinary matters supports expediency on cases,” said Feris.