Action on gender violence
017 marks the 10th anniversary of the Silent Protest, initiated at Rhodes University in 2007. The main objective of the Protest is to highlight the serious issues surrounding rape and sexual violence as well as the difficulties survivors face after the crime.
In 2016, Rhodes University set up a Sexual Violence Task Team (SVTT) to investigate how a counter culture to rape and gender-based violence might be implemented in the institution. The Task Team, in its report, made 93 recommendations most of which were currently being implemented, the University said in a statement this week. The recommendations fell under the following categories the statement, issued by the Communications and Advancement Division, said:
Policy environment: this entails a review, update and alignment of policies with efforts to strengthen our stand against gender-based violence. Discipline and enforcement: this is about a comprehensive approach to justice in dealing with gender-based violence. Education and awareness initiatives: this is about sensitisation and awareness raising. It entails various education initiatives targeting both staff and students.
Structures had been set up to facilitate and oversee the implementation of the recommendations. In other instances, specific offices in the institution had been designated to implement and report on the recommendations.
“A multi-stakeholder Ad Hoc Committee, chaired by the Vice Chancellor, Dr Sizwe Mabizela oversees the processing, implementation and the development of an effective and sustainable programme of action to address sexual and gender-based violence at the University. As its first order of business, the Ad Hoc Committee categorised and prioritised all the recommendations,” the University said.
The Division of Student Affairs and the Student Representative Council working with the Gender Commission had been rolling out educational and enculturation initiatives, incorporating various themes targeted at both students and staff.
A fully operational Harassment Office was being set up.
“Discipline and enforcement has been strengthened significantly from both the support perspective for survivors of gender-based violence and in the prosecution of perpetrators. A counselling centre is open 24 hours a day with a psychologist available around the clock.”
In the past six months, two perpetrators of sexual violence found guilty by the independent adjudication panel had been excluded from the University, one for 10 years and another permanently. The panel comprised highly qualified legal practitioners and gender activists.
“Rhodes University will not tolerate sexual and genderbased violence and will take firm action whenever such cases are reported under our Disciplinary Code,” the Uni- versity said.
The University had also established safe houses for victims of gender-based violence and had a policy on sexual or gender-based violence, which is based on the national Sexual Offences and Related Matters Amendment Act of 2007.
“We are using this and other existing University policies successfully to prosecute all gender-based or sexual offences.
“As a University, we remain firmly committed to ensuring that we provide timely, empathetic and caring support for any of our students and staff who may fall victim to such a traumatic experience. We are also committed to following due legal process against any person who perpetrates sexual or gender-based violence on another person, as soon as such a charge is laid. This is a commitment we make and one, which we have consistently demonstrated a commitment to keep.”
– Communications and Advancement Division, Rhodes
University