The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) is concerned by media reports that allege that a young girl was raped on the school premises, and that no one did anything this includes both the teacher and other pupils.
The media states the following:
- That instead other learners took video clips of the incident and some of the pupils showed the video clip of the rape to some educators and they instead found this hilarious
- The girl was given a spiked cool drink
- That the headmaster when told did nothing; and most importantly
- The three boys were not arrested as they alleged that they did not want to traumatise the school during the exams. The question is what about the girl who had been sexually violated?
The CGE calls on both the law enforcers and the Gauteng Department of Education to move swiftly in ensuring that each play its role in accordance with the Child Protection Act, to make certain the rights of this child are not further violated. The Education Department in the form of educators need to ensure this trend is nipped on the bud before it becomes normative.
We are pleased to hear the Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities has gotten involved in the issue, and we hope that the three Departments will work together to bring about justice and dignity into the teaching profession.
In addition, the CGE is concerned that this incident takes place a few days before the start of the 16 Days of Activism against violence against women and children.
The CGE will be following all the proceedings very closely in observance of our mandate and will try to engage both the Gauteng Department of Education and the national Department of Basic Education. To conclude,we invite the young girl who was allegedly violated and all other people who have experienced gender based violence to lodge a formal complaint with the Commission on Gender Equality, to ensure that the complaint is dealt with and that where necessary answers are provided speedily.
Enquiries:
Javu Baloyi
Tel: 083 579 3306
