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Addressing SA’s Ongoing Rapes

Addressing SA’s Ongoing Rapes

In creating a better and safer environment for students, the Durban University of Technology, in partnership with the International Centre of Nonviolence (ICON), hosted a dialogue which aimed to educate and put an end to rape which continues to affect many South African communities.

South Africa has one of the highest incidences of rape and murder in the world every year; gang rapes being the most common with victims being raped by up to 30 perpetrators at a time. Factors such as poverty, drug abuse and young men not having positive male roles in their upbringing are some of the factors contributing to the shocking “rape culture” in the country.

“We all bear the responsibility of looking out for each other and developing men into leaders who really care and respect women enough not to violate them in any way,’ said Professor Anthony Collins, a Professor in the University’s Journalism Department. “The institution also needs to make sure that student’s feel safe at all times, but most importantly to educate them about the different sexual policies that the University has against those who fail to comply with the rules,” said Prof Collins.

At the dialogue, it was heard that promoting dialogues that encourage and create awareness is a basic human right that should be practised in order to ensure that the place of learning is friendly environment and that the teaching and learning process takes place effectively without any disruptions.

“Today, as students, we really feel represented as these are the issues of concern that we have at our residences. Because we are part of the housing committee, we would like to encourage other students to make use of the facilities that are offered to them like the student counselling centre,” said Precious Nhlumayo from City Residence.

– Ntsiki Mthabela

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