In 2016, there were numerous protests around the country, of many which concerned sexual violence on campuses at Higher Education Institutions, once again brought the issue of gender-based violence. Sexual violence on campuses in South Africa has been a long-standing issue. We are becoming more aware of GBV at Higher Education Institutions in South Africa, but there is a lack of nationally representative research which can give us a clearer understanding of the nature and extent of this phenomenon.
This paper addresses the nature of GBV and its policy at the Nelson Mandela University, the protective factors against GBV on campuses, the entry-points for addressing GBV as well as the challenges in addressing it. The under-reporting of sexual violence makes it difficult to determine the true prevalence of the different forms of it at this institution. Owing to under-reporting and consequently low numbers of officially reported incidents of sexual violence, the NMU may perceive that sexual violence is not a major issue at their institution and consequently argue that it does not require a concerted institutional response.
As indicated by the NMU policy, rape, just as sexual assault is the quickest developing wrongdoing, yet it gets minimal supportive consideration by media, teachers or legislators. Since assaults are typically unreported, no one knows precisely what number of happen every year. Despite the fact that there is thoughtfulness regarding assault, quiet challenges and there are successful types of helping survivors. Open mindfulness is improving and survivors are discovering preferable assistance today over in the previous years. Most resources to help sexually assaulted survivors come from crisis centers, police stations, and specialized counseling programs. Sexual assault does not only affect the victim but also her family, friends and other loved ones.
There is a lack of effective policies and structures to prevent and respond to GBV and they are a key to risk factors to GBV in the institution. However, NMU isn’t the only institution in South Africa that has policies addressing GBV, especially policies that concern sexual harassment. Among the institutions which do have GBV policies, these policies vary between different institutions. In institutions such as NMU where these policies exist, the policies are not always up to date with current legislation and best practice. Furthermore, these policies are often not comprehensive and/or are poorly implemented and consequently do not effectively address GBV on campus.
In addition, the NMU policy is very unclear and not easily accessible to the general campus community. Many Higher Education Institutions also lack the necessary support structure to address and respond to cases of GBV and/or lack of reporting mechanisms for survivors. There is a consequent of the gaps in policies and structures to prevent and respond to GBV, few victims or survivors report their victimization and seek assistance. When students and staff do not have a clear understanding of what constitutes GBV and/or the South African legislation addressing and prohibiting it, they may perpetuate these incidents without even realizing that what they are doing is against the law.
The NMU policy expresses that spouses, boyfriends, fathers, siblings and other males can be significant in a woman’s recuperation from any sexual violence. Half of the women who ever report their sexual brutality turn to a male as their first wellspring of trust, help, and guidance. Helping men comprehend assault is basic to helping unfortunate casualties recoup from assault. Volunteers are rare and desperately needed in this institution, men in particular. Men are seeking to help and guide the next generation of young males. With that being said, students need to write to Oklahoma representative and District Attorneys for any questions about why Oklahoma continues to cut funds for teen mental health, sexual assault crisis programs, rape prevention education and other programs that serve victims of trauma. The Oklahoma Coalition against Domestic and Sexual Assault (OCADVSA.org) can help and direct you to the rape crisis agency.
In NMU’s policy, there is victim blaming and question formulation. Victim-blaming can be defined as holding the belief or expressing one’s opinion that the person who is alleging they were sexually harassed, sexually assaulted or victimized in an intimate relationship was in some way responsible for what happened. Victim-blaming can be both obvious and subtle. Subtle victim-blaming occurs in the way questions are asked of a person who has been sexually harassed, sexually assaulted or victimized. Victim-blaming shouldn’t even exist. It exists because it is tied to myths people hold about sexual harassment, sexual assault, gender-based harassment, stalking and intimate partner violence. Being aware of the myths associated with misconduct, particularly gender-based harassment and violence, is an important step in understanding if a question might be victim blaming.
When reporting the rape, there is no time limit or laying a charge. However, the sooner this is done, the easier it is to get the evidence needed for the court case. Delays in reporting may not be used against the victim in court, but forensic evidence such as physical evidence, it can be semen and hairs left in the victim’s body after the rape may be lost. It is preferable to go to the police station nearest to where the rape has taken place. The victim should receive medical attention soon after the sexual violence, even if the victim is not bleeding. Also, given the ARV requirements to prevent HIV, all rape survivors should be seen as potentially fatally injured even if not bleeding. The sooner the victim receives ARVs, the less likely it is that HIV infection will occur. One needs to be aware of the serious side effects this medication can have.
In order to decrease incidents of GBV while concurrently increasing the number of survivors seeking assistance, interventions to prevent and respond to GBV must be clearly developed and pathways to seek assistance must be clear and uncomplicated. Conversely, where comprehensive policies and structures are developed, which are supportive and survivor-centered, there is likely to be an increase in survivors reporting incidents and seeking assistance. Lack of clear, up to date, comprehensive policies and structures to address GBV, not only negatively impacts on help-seeking among survivors but it increases the likelihood of perpetration of GBV with impunity.
Patriarchal and hegemonic masculine norms are so embedded across race and class groups within this institution, these acts of GBV are often not even perceived as violence. This once again points to the very real need for sustained and multi-faceted campaigns and strategies to challenge these norms and attitudes. On the other hand, other individuals may understand that what they are doing constitutes GBV but owing to lax institutional policies and structures addressing GBV, they are happy to perpetuate these acts because they do not fear reprisal. In other words, if institutional policies to address GBV lack clarity and if response structures are complex and poorly understood, individuals are more likely to perpetrate incidents because they do not fear reprisal or any significant reprisal at that.
The experience of GBV on campus can have multiple short and long-term negative consequences for survivors. Firstly, there are often emotional and psychological consequences of GBV victimization. The trauma and fear can result in heightened anxiety, low self-esteem, somatic symptoms, and decreased concentration and productivity. With regard to sexual violence, sexual assault victims are at risk of suffering from depression, struggling with suicidal ideation and using and abusing substances. Substance abuse can be viewed as a form of self-medicating, a means of trying to numb the pain and move on. Additionally, many survivors suffer academically, in some cases this can lead them to have to take a leave of absence and for some, it can result in them dropping out of university.
The efficacy of policies to address GBV depends on a range of factors. An integrated approach is needed that addresses both the individual and structural factors that underlie this phenomenon. While currently there is no sing overarching policy to address GBV at Higher Education Institutions in South Africa, a national policy and strategic framework are being developed. GBV at NMU is a very complex phenomenon. It requires a long-term, societal approach.
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