Gender-based violence (GBV) impacts almost every aspect of our lives: it exists in our own home environments, our wider society, and infiltrates work and study spaces. The University of Pretoria (UP) is committed to providing a non-sexist, non-discriminatory working, living and study environment for staff and students; one in which every person will be able to achieve their full potential. UP also acknowledges that sexual harassment is an unacceptable infringement of the core values of integrity, human dignity, privacy, equity and mutual respect, and is a form of unfair discrimination.

GBV can manifest itself in physical, verbal and non-verbal forms; and through sexual favouritism and quid pro quo harassment.

It is possible to reach more people and sensitise them about behaviours that might possibly constitute sexual violence through awareness campaigns and training.

Anti-GBV Training available:

UP has developed a course available to all staff in order to educate ourselves on sexually offensive behaviours, as well as the available processes and procedures to be followed for reporting sexual harassment, violence or rape. The course will be run on the following dates:

• 1 October 2019: Graduate Centre, Hatfield Campus
• 19 Nov 2019: Graduate Centre, Hatfield Campus

Process of registration

• Step 1: Log on to the staff portal
• Step 2: Click on Human Resources Self-services
• Step 3: Click on Development and Careers
• Step 4: Click Development Request and the drop down of the Learning Strategy
• Step 5: Click on In-house (free of charge) then select Search by Course Number. Type in 190007 and select GBV training
   

Support Resources available:

The following services are available within UP:

• First-time reporting - Security Investigative Unit, Admin Building:
  • Rowan Watson Admin 2-120.3
  • Napoleon Boshielo Admin 2-120.2
  • Chris Myburgh Admin 2-120.1
  • Albertina Nthane Admin 2-109
  • Phillip Mmushi Admin 2-115
  • Johan Boonzaaier Admin 2-117

• The case will be escalated to the Transformation Office for legal assessment

Psychological and trauma counselling are offered to all at any of the stages of reporting mentioned above.
 

Contact details:

In the quest to preserve human dignity and to discourage offensive behaviours within the UP environment, staff are encouraged to learn more about sexually offensive behaviours so that they can have the knowledge to protect themselves and also avoid becoming perpetrators themselves.

Should you need any more information relating to GBV, do not hesitate to get in touch with the Transformation Office by contacting Sarah Matseke via [email protected] or 012 420 6797; or Stembiso Magagula via [email protected] or 012 420 6245.