Die Matie

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DieMATIE

VYF-EN-SEWENTIGSTE JAARGANG | NO 2

WOENSDAG 6 APRIL 2016 | GR ATIS

» #REDMYLIPS 4

Gwen Fynn en Liesel Roux poseer in wit lakens en rooi lippe as deel van die #RedMyLips-veldtog teen seksuele geweld teenoor vroue. Lees meer op bladsy 4 en 12.

FOTO: Henk Oets

Students and academics unite against rape culture he recent rape of a student at Stellenbosch University (SU) has united students, academics and anti-rape activists in a campaign against rape culture at the university. This comes after a Heemstede resident was allegedly raped in the early hours of Saturday morning in a car parked between Metanoia and Heemstede. A 32-year old man has been charged with the rape and appeared in court on Monday. The case has been postponed till 5 May with the accused being released on a R500 bail. In a show of force the #RedtAPE movement are planning a massive march on Friday to highlight the need for increased security on campus

and to hand over a petition to the university. The organisation has been encouraging students through out the week to wear tape over their mouths as a sign of solidarity for the voiceless victims of sexual abuse and will break this silence at the march on Friday. One of the organisers Lea Koekemoer said the initiative is not intended to trump other movements or societies that are standing against sexual abuse and violence. She said the hope is that it will spark a conversation that will get the community to engage in a continued conversation about these issues. “We really want to encourage students to use their own agency and take a stand in their own way.”

Additionally SASCO will be embarking on a door-to-door campaign tomorrow to bring awareness to rape culture and place a sense of urgency on the memorandum of demands that the SRc’s Women Empowerment Committee handed over to the university last week. Meanwhile the rector of SU, Wim de Villiers has made a call on all male students to develop an understanding that “respect for women excludes verbal abuse, sexual harassment, inappropriate jokes, catcalling and wolf-whistling.” “A ‘rape culture’ goes beyond criminal acts or legal aspects. It reflects a general culture of disrespect and the acceptance of the harassment of women as the norm. Safety measures, legislation and

disciplinary structures may act, as deterrents to the rape and assault of women, but it will not prevent gender violence.” Demi Roodt, prim of Heemstede, said the recent incident has greatly impacted the residents of Heemstede and a vigil was held on Monday morning in the spot where the incident occurred. Candles were lit and a moment of silence was held for the rape victim. “A lot of girls are scared unfortunately and it is a traumatic time for our Heemie survivor and every girl in the residence.” The residence is in discussion with the university about receiving more security measures such as cameras and lights around the residence. Yesterday professor Amanda

Gouws, political sciences lecturer and head of the sexual harassment advisory board held a conscious raising workshop entitled, “But one rape isn’t rape culture?” to educate people in what rape culture is and what one can do to combat it. Gouws told Die Matie last week, “I don’t think that Stellenbosch is any different to any other university but we have a very male dominated hierarchy at this university. “We don’t have any women in top management. The more women you have in positions of decision making around issues like this, the better results you’ll have.” The latest rape incident is the second in two months. Police are still investigating the rape that took place in front of Harmonie in February.

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