Staff of Stellenbosch University gave valuable input last week (Thursday, 9 July) at a feedback session of the Task Team on Rape Culture. The feedback was mostly focused on university policy, sexual harassment and protection of victims and witnesses, as well as how behaviour and attitudes can be changed.
This was the first feedback session of the Task Team to the campus community. The session was aimed at obtaining feedback, ideas and comment from staff on rape culture. Representatives of management and deans, among others, attended the session.
At the session, staff members were informed about the progress of the Task Team in investigating rape culture on the various campuses.
The Task Team on Rape Culture, chaired by Dr Birgit Schreiber, Senior Director: Student Affairs, met for the first time in March this year to determine the extent of this challenge at the University. During the first meeting, practices perpetuating rape culture at the University were identified and ideas on how to address these practices are currently being discussed.
A session with students will be held soon.