Teenz Alliance




Teenz Alliance



TEENZ ALLIANCE IN ENDING SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS

Background

1) In a 2001 report, Human Rights Watch found that sexual violence against girls “permeates the whole of the South African education system.”[1] In 2006, the South African Human Rights Commission noted that sexual violence, including abuse perpetrated by educators, was one of the most prevalent forms of violence identified in its hearings on violence in schools.[2] Moreover, in 2011, the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW Committee) “expresse[d] grave concern about the high number of girls who suffer sexual abuse and harassment in schools by both teachers and classmates, as well as the high number of girls who suffer sexual violence while on their way to/from school [in South Africa].”[3] A 2012 study by the Centre for Justice and Crime Prevention on violence in schools revealed that 4.7% of learners have been raped or sexually assaulted at school.[4]

2) It is from this premise that we would like an opportunity to assist in addressing the issue of sexual violence in schools. POWA is a feminist organisation which believes that interventions in the context of sexual violence in schools can produce truly effective results with the assistance of organisations such as ADAPT, which has expertise in engaging with boys and young men on issues relating to gender-based violence. As such, we have partnered with ADAPT to come up with a programme that will assist both boy and girl learners in addressing sexual violence in schools.
3) In light of the above, we have identified the following as some of the outcomes we would like to see achieved during the lifespan of the programme: o Girls are empowered to advocate for the reduction of sexual violence in their schools; o Leadership training for the representatives of the girls and boys clubs ; o Advocacy and awareness campaigns led by girls and supported by boys; o Girls accessing quality sexual violence services; o Communities in Tembisa and Evaton are safer places and more supportive to girls and boys in relation to sexual violence; o Community dialogues on issues relating to sexual violence in schools are held; o Community action teams collaborating with community policing forums to develop safety protocols to prevent harassment of school girls in public transport; o Boys respecting and relating with girls as equals.
1) In a 2001 report, Human Rights Watch found that sexual violence against girls “permeates the whole of the South African education system.”[1] In 2006, the South African Human Rights Commission noted that sexual violence, including abuse perpetrated by educators, was one of the most prevalent forms of violence identified in its hearings on violence in schools.[2] Moreover, in 2011, the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW Committee) “expresse[d] grave concern about the high number of girls who suffer sexual abuse and harassment in schools by both teachers and classmates, as well as the high number of girls who suffer sexual violence while on their way to/from school [in South Africa].”[3] A 2012 study by the Centre for Justice and Crime Prevention on violence in schools revealed that 4.7% of learners have been raped or sexually assaulted at school.[4]
2) It is from this premise that we would like an opportunity to assist in addressing the issue of sexual violence in schools. POWA is a feminist organisation which believes that interventions in the context of sexual violence in schools can produce truly effective results with the assistance of organisations such as ADAPT, which has expertise in engaging with boys and young men on issues relating to gender-based violence. As such, we have partnered with ADAPT to come up with a programme that will assist both boy and girl learners in addressing sexual violence in schools.
3) In light of the above, we have identified the following as some of the outcomes we would like to see achieved during the lifespan of the programme: o Girls are empowered to advocate for the reduction of sexual violence in their schools; o Leadership training for the representatives of the girls and boys clubs ; o Advocacy and awareness campaigns led by girls and supported by boys; o Girls accessing quality sexual violence services; o Communities in Tembisa and Evaton are safer places and more supportive to girls and boys in relation to sexual violence; o Community dialogues on issues relating to sexual violence in schools are held; o Community action teams collaborating with community policing forums to develop safety protocols to prevent harassment of school girls in public transport; o Boys respecting and relating with girls as equals.

List of Schools that we worked with in both Sedibeng West and Ekurhuleni North District:

Ekurhuleni North District Schools (Tembisa)

Sedibeng West District Schools (Evaton)

1. Boitumelong Secondary School

1. Maxeke Secondary School

2. Ikusasa Comprehensive School

2. Jordan High School

3. Jiyane Secondary School

4. Tembisa West Secondary School

5. Masiqhakaze Secondary School

6. Masisebenze Comprehensive School

7. Tembisa High Secondary School

8. Zitikeni Secondary School

9. Inqayizivele Secondary School

Ekurhuleni North District Schools (Tembisa)

1. Boitumelong Secondary School
2. Ikusasa Comprehensive School
3. Jiyane Secondary School
4. Tembisa West Secondary School
5. Masiqhakaze Secondary School
6. Masisebenze Comprehensive School
7. Tembisa High Secondary School
8. Zitikeni Secondary School
9. Inqayizivele Secondary School

Sedibeng West District Schools (Evaton)

1) Maxeke Secondary School

2) Jordan High School

References

References

[1] Human Rights Watch, Scared at School: Sexual Violence Against Girls in South African Schools 36 (2001), available at http://www.hrw.org/reports/2001/safrica/.
[1] Human Rights Watch, Scared at School: Sexual Violence Against Girls in South African Schools 36 (2001), available at http://www.hrw.org/reports/2001/safrica/.
[2] South African Human Rights Commission, Report of the Public Hearing on School-based Violence v, 11–12 (2006), available at http://www.sahrc.org.za/home/index.php?ipkContentID=15&ipkMenuID=19.
[2] South African Human Rights Commission, Report of the Public Hearing on School-based Violence v, 11–12 (2006), available at http://www.sahrc.org.za/home/index.php?ipkContentID=15&ipkMenuID=19.
[3] U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, 48th Sess., 17 January – 4 February 2011, ¶ 31, U.N. Doc. CEDAW/C/ZAF/CO/4 (5 April 2011).
[3] U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, 48th Sess., 17 January – 4 February 2011, ¶ 31, U.N. Doc. CEDAW/C/ZAF/CO/4 (5 April 2011).
[4] Patrick Burton and Lezanne Leoschut, Centre for Justice and Crime Prevention, School Violence in South Africa: Results of the 2012 National School Study xii, 15 (2013).
[4] Patrick Burton and Lezanne Leoschut, Centre for Justice and Crime Prevention, School Violence in South Africa: Results of the 2012 National School Study xii, 15 (2013).

Pamphlets

Click a pamphlet below to read:

Supporting Sexual Survivors v1

Supporting Sexual Survivors v2

Supporting Sexual Survivors v3