ENT NE W TUD SP LS A IA C
VOLUME 74 | EDITION 2
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8 MARCH 2016
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Sexual Violence at UCT
E 1942 · THE O NC FF SI I
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Aisha Abdool Karim
Research by Nico Nomyayi, Michaela Findeis and Tanya Magaisa There were four reported cases of sexual violence at Rhodes Memorial from December 11th 2015 to February 4th 2016. Of the four women raped, three were UCT students. These incidents have highlighted the issue of sexual violence on campus, which has been an ongoing problem. As of December 23rd last year, DISCHO had received ten reports of rape, attempted rape and sexual assault. The same number of complaints had also been reported to DISCHO as of November 24th in 2014. Of the cases reported in 2015, five happened off-campus. DISCHO had received 14 reports of sexual harassment as of December 23rd last year. As of November 24th in 2014, DISCHO had received 18 reports of sexual harassment. Francois Botha, Director of DISCHO, noted that last year had the second highest number of sexual assault reports since DISCHO’s inception in 2001. He further noted, ‘it means nothing if we start speculating what this means,’ given that there are potentially more sexual assaults that have gone unreported. When dealing with reports relating to incidents of sexual violence, DISCHO offers two forms of assistance, whereby complainants can pursue either the informal route or the formal route. The informal route includes mediation, the issue of an apology, discussions or other informal approaches. The formal route entails taking the matter to
Student Tribunal, if the accused is a student, or Disciplinary Hearing, if the accused is a staff member. In addition to pursuing action through DISCHO, complainants may also pursue criminal charges at the Magistrate’s Court. Of the ten sexual assault reports from last year, two complainants pursued formal disciplinary action taking the matter to Student Tribunal, where the perpetrators were found guilty. One complainant was a student who had been raped in a UCT residence, however she chose not to take any formal action or press criminal charges against the perpetrator. Another two complainants met with the police and decided not to pursue criminal charges.
‘...DISCHO office is failing its students’
Of the rape cases reported to DISCHO, three of these incidents took place in the bushes near the M3. According to Botha, DISCHO recommended that security be increased in this area after the second report had been brought to DISCHO’s attention. However, decisions relating to security on campus are not within DISCHO’s jurisdiction. Properties and Services, tasked with making decisions regarding security on campus, did not respond to DISCHO’s initial request for increased security in the area. In January, the University ‘took steps to place additional security at the bridge over the M3,’ according to a statement released by Kylie
Hatton, Acting Executive Director of the Communication and Marketing Department, on February 5th. Thus far there have been no increases in security relating to incidents of sexual violence at Rhodes Memorial. The University did send out ‘Campus Announcements’ to all students to inform them about the incidents at Rhodes Memorial. In these statements, ‘students and staff are advised to use the Jammie Shuttle, to use the UCT blue route where possible, and to avoid walking alone.’ There is also a link to the Campus Safety page on the UCT website, which contains a brief section on sexual assault and rape, outlining actions that UCT recommends be followed in the event of a sexual assault. The university also has a Sexual and Harassment Policy, which was approved by Council in 2008. This policy provides a basic overview of procedures and guidelines that the Reporting Office must follow when handling a report. The university has opted not to increase security at Rhodes Memorial, despite the reports of sexual violence in the area, as Rhodes Memorial is not a part of university property. The area, therefore, falls into the jurisdiction of the South African Police Services (SAPS). Nigel Patel, a representative of the Patriarchy Must Fall movement, said, ‘that’s not a good enough answer at the end of the day,’ given that students park their cars in that area and it is close to campus. Patel also expressed disappointment at the time it takes the university to respond to incidences of sexual assault, as he feels they address these issues ‘very slowly.’ According to Patel, UCT
needs to address the fact that the cause of these incidents of sexual violence is ‘something systematic, its something that’s indoctrinated within the university.’
18 reports of sexual harassment
In addition to the attitudes adopted within the university, Patel also commented on the structures available to students, such as DISCHO. Many members who belong to Patriarchy Must Fall, as well as other students, have reported having bad experiences when dealing with a case at DISCHO. Patel attributes this to DISCHO not being ‘fully equipped to deal with these situations,’ as well insensitivity in their approach to these cases. Patel feels that the university structures and procedures in place are ineffective and are ‘undermining peoples feelings and questioning their experiences and questioning their pain.’ This lack of faith in the existing structures also stems from the lack of recognition of students experiences by these systems, according to Patel. One example of this, Patel noted, is a sexual assault case that was taken to Student Tribunal, where the perpetrator was found guilty of sexual assault and had to complete 65 hours of community service. Patriarchy Must Fall currently has an online petition where they are asking that the review of DISCHO, which was completed in December of last year, continued on page 3
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