Sexual misconduct protocol to be implemented at Gauteng schools
Schools in Gauteng will soon be given a protocol on how to respond to and report on incidents of sexual misconduct.
Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi addressed some 870 learners at the Parktown Boys' High School during school assembly this morning. This follows alleged incidents of sexual misconduct at the school, involving a coach and at least 20 learners.
While assuring the learners that they have the department's full support, Lesufi confirmed officials would be looking into how the matter was dealt with.
Lesufi insists the matter was not reported appropriately to allow the department to fully assist both the school and the learners.
"Sexual harassment is a serious matter," explains Lesufi. "We need protection, we need to activate the highest form of law enforcement."
He says an individual police station might not have the capacity to investigate a case involving as many as 20 learners. Lesufi has tasked the district director to ensure schools comply with the protocol. "We needed to gather evidence, we needed to protect learners, we needed to notify parents, we needed also to address the school population."
The Director for Psycho-Social Support at the Department says they have developed a protocol for the reporting of either suspected or confirmed cases. "It outlines what is the department's role, and it outlines what are the steps to follow from the point at which a learner discloses," explains Anthony Meyers.
The main aim of the protocol, according to Meyers, is to ensure that a disclosure does not lead to further abuse.
The department wants to ensure that similar incidents are not recorded at other schools in the province. As a result, the department is set to engage with a number of boys schools in the coming days.
The MEC encouraged learners to come forward with information if they experience or witness incidents of sexual misconduct. He says schools should rid themselves of the culture that "boys do not complain".
Lesufi assured both educators and learners that they have the department's full support as they are preparing for their first mid-year exams, which are already underway.
He confirmed the water polo coach implicated in the incident is no longer at the school. Lesufi says he resigned before appearing before a disciplinary committee.
The 22-year-old accused is currently out on bail of R3000 and is set to return to court in July.