Contesting sexual violence policies in higher education: the case of Rhodes University
| Published date | 09 April 2018 |
| Pages | 83-92 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JACPR-05-2017-0295 |
| Date | 09 April 2018 |
| Author | Catriona Ida Macleod,Werner Böhmke,Jabulile Mavuso,Kim Barker,Malvern Chiweshe |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Criminology & forensic psychology,Aggression, conflict & peace,Sociology,Gender studies,Gender violence,Political sociology, policy & social change,Social conflicts,War/peace |
Contesting sexual violence policies
in higher education: the case of
Rhodes University
Catriona Ida Macleod, Werner Böhmke, Jabulile Mavuso, Kim Barker and Malvern Chiweshe
Abstract
Purpose –In April 2016, students at Rhodes University brought the institution to a standstill as they
protested the University’s sexual violence policies and procedures,as well as the “rape culture”that pervades
social structures. In response, a Sexual Violence Task Team (SVTT) was formed in an open, participatory,
and transparent process. Members of the University community were invited to comment on drafts
of the SVTT document. The purpose of this paper is to outline the contestations –arising from both
the establishment of the task team and the inputs from University members to drafts of the document –that
surfaced concerning managing sexual violence on campuses and sexual offences policies.
Design/methodology/approach –These contestations are outlined in the form of a case study of
Rhodes University.
Findings –The case study of Rhodes University draws attention to two rifts: fissures between student and
management; and the role of universities in prosecuting alleged rapists.
Originality/value –In light of increased concern about sexual violence on campuses, the rifts highlighted
require careful attention in considering sexual violence on university campuses. In addition, the process
engaged in by the SVTT may provide a road map for participatory processes for other such task teams.
Keywords Sexual violence, Policy, Higher education, College, Rape, University, Protests, Task team
Paper type Case study
Introduction
During the week of 11 April 2016, a campus organisation called Chapter 2.12[1] placed posters
on the library wall of Rhodes University, South Africa, showcasing statements allegedly made by
management and University prosecutors in response to cases of rape that were reported on
campus (e.g. “Are you sure you want to proceed; you will ruin his career”). These posters were
initially removed by members of the Campus Protection Unit (campus security), and then
replaced. Over the weekend (between 15 and 16 April), a list of names called #RUreferencelist
circulated on social media. Although there were no direct allegations made on the list, it soon
went viral with the understanding that the list contained the names of alleged rapists
(with a poignant et al. at the end). The term “reference list”played on academic reference lists to
which students are inducted, and the fact that plagiarism is closely regulated in the University.
On the evening of Sunday 17 April, a group of women students entered the residences of the
alleged perpetrators of sexual violence who were on the #RUreferencelist. What happened next
is a matter of dispute between the management of the University and the students concerned.
What is known is that the men in question were taken out of their residences (“kidnapped”
according to management; “encouraged”according to protesting students), surrounded by a crowd
of women who shamed them openly for a good part of the night. By the Monday morning of 18 April,
rape culture protests were in full swing. In the following days, classes were disrupted, naked
protests conducted, access routes to the University were barricaded, and night time vigils held.
Police entered the campus and used rubber bullets, tear gas and pepper spray to disperse students.
Received 30 May 2017
Revised 11 August 2017
Accepted 13 September 2017
The authorsare aware that the
contents of thispaper reflect the
view of the membersof the Sexual
Violence TaskTeam. The authors
have tried to reflectthe views of
others as fairlyas possible.
However, if any membersof the
Universityfeel that the authors have
misrepresentedtheir views, the
authors takefull responsibility for
this. The nameof the University is
currentlyunder review, following the
#RhodesMustF all protests of 2015.
In the interim,many use the term
the UniversityCurrently Known as
Rhodes (UCKAR).The authors
have, for the purposesof this
paper, retainedthe legal name of
the University,despite the fact that
all of the authorsagree that the
name should havebeen changed
many years ago as partof the
decolonisationprocess. Written
with input from membersof the
SVTT task team.
Catriona Ida Macleod is a
Professor of Psychology and
SARChI Chair of Critical Studies
in Sexualities and Reproduction,
Werner Böhmke is a Lecturer in
Psychology and Jabulile Mavuso
is a PhD Student, all at Rhodes
University, Grahamstown,
South Africa.
Kim Barker is based at Rhodes
University, Grahamstown,
South Africa.
Malvern Chiweshe is a Research
Associate at Rhodes University,
Grahamstown, South Africa.
DOI 10.1108/JACPR-05-2017-0295 VOL. 10 NO. 2 2018, pp.83-92, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1759-6599
j
JOURNAL OF AGGRESSION, CONFLICTAND PEACE RESEARCH
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