Dear colleagues

Gender-based violence (GBV) impacts almost every aspect of our lives; it exists in our home environments, in wider society, and also in our work and study spaces. The University of Pretoria (UP) is committed to providing a non-sexist and non-discriminatory working, living and study environment for staff and students; one in which every person is 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.

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.

Through this awareness campaign and training, the Transformation Office, alongside the Centre for Sexualities, AIDS and Gender (CSA&G), seeks to reach as many members of the UP community as possible and sensitise them about behaviours that might possibly constitute sexual violence.

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

• 28 February 2020: Graduate Centre, Hatfield Campus     
• 27 March 2020: Graduate Centre, Hatfield Campus
• 24 April 2020: Graduate Centre, Hatfield Campus
• 22 May 2020: Graduate Centre, Hatfield Campus
• 19 June 2020: Graduate Centre, Hatfield Campus
• 24 July 2020: Graduate Centre, Hatfield Campus
• 25 August 2020: Graduate Centre, Hatfield Campus
• 29 September 2020: Graduate Centre, Hatfield Campus
• 20 October 2020: Graduate Centre, Hatfield Campus
• 17 November 2020: Graduate Centre, Hatfield Campus  

Process of registration

Step 1: Log onto the staff portal

Step 2: Click on Human Resources Self-services

Step 3: Click on Development and Careers

Step 4: Click on 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

Step 6: Type in 190007 and select Gender-based Violence 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:

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