Stellenbosch University took note of the list of concerns from students who took part in a march on Wednesday, 28 August, to highlight sexual harassment and assault. There is a deep appreciation for students who highlight these important issues as they can play a crucial role in curbing incidences of sexual harassment and assault in South African society.
It is unfortunate that the Chairpersons of the Sexual Harassment Advisory Committee were denied the opportunity to address the gathering who viewed it as a student event. A memorandum was accepted and a commitment made to respond to these issues. This memorandum is a first response to the content of the memorandum received from the students.
It is important to differentiate between two entities in the memorandum – the Centre for Student Counselling and Development (CSCD), and the Committee dealing with Sexual Harassment. A staff member of the CSCD serves on the Sexual Harassment Committee as a consultant. The CSCD is located in five buildings in Victoria Street (next to the Conserve up to the Bosman Street circle) and have four Units that offer specialized services to support holistic student development. These service range from academic counselling and development, support for students with special needs, career services as well as therapeutic and psychosocial support. A 24-hour Crisis Service is available for students in crisis. The telephone number of the Crisis Service has been printed on stickers that are widely available on campus and appears in all Welcoming Programme materials. The number of the Crisis Service is 082 557 0880.
The CSCD's contact details are actively distributed and widespread; on the SU website, as well as in the Matie Diary. The Matie Diary displays a section on the CSCD in the first few pages, contact details included. The number of CSCD is listed again in the back of the diary under Important Numbers. The CSCD also works actively with the SU student mentors in order to equip them to refer students to the necessary services. Brochures with information and contact details are distributed to students and staff.
The second entity referred to in the memorandum, is the Committee dealing with Sexual Harassment. Stellenbosch University confirms that there is a zero tolerance for sexual harassment and assault and that the University will not hesitate to act against anyone who is found guilty of such practices. In the last year the two committees handled 13 cases of sexual harassment and in all of them there were outcomes, some ending in disciplinary hearings leading to the expulsion of students or the termination of staff members' contracts.
The University also confirms that free psychological support is already available and that students have free access to the University's Crisis Service. Furthermore, there is an ongoing campaign to create awareness. These include consciousness raising sessions for staff members while also speaking to student groups and experts being invited to residences and groups to speak on sexual harassment.
The University cannot conduct investigations into allegations of rape. As rape is a criminal offence, it falls under the jurisdiction of the South African Police Service and the judiciary. The University will provide its full cooperation in such matters, and students convicted on a charge of rape will be expelled from the institution. The University does investigate all reported cases of sexual misconduct, and provides counselling and support to students who seek assistance after incidents of sexual harassment, sexual assault or rape. The University can however only investigate harassment that is reported.
