On Thursday 13 April 2023, the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) will host a Social Justice Café that will take place over lunchtime on the topic of date rape. Facilitated by Prof Thuli Madonsela, director of the CSJ, the discussion will bring together panellists who will highlight different aspects of the issue and its impact on university campuses. The keynote address will be delivered by Qaqamba Mdaka, Case Coordinator at Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Equality Unit.
Last year the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr Blade Nzimande, released shocking statistics showing that ten percent of all reported rape cases in South Africa come from institutions of higher learning. Date rape, also known as acquaintance rape, is one of the most common forms of sexual assault.
Clio Sass, primaria of Nemesia residence, who will be a panelist at Thursday’s event, welcomes the discussion on date rape and says it’s an important step in addressing a critical issue that affects many members of the SU community. “By discussing this issue openly and honestly, we can raise awareness about the prevalence of date rape and its negative impact,” Sass says. One major misconception about date rape that should be highlighted, is that it occurs when a victim is physically overpowered or threatened with violence, explains Sass. “In fact, date rape can occur through verbal abuse, emotional manipulation as well as the involvement of alcohol or other substances.”
Discussing date rape can help disprove the misconceptions about sexual assault, and provide accurate information about consensual, healthy relationships, and reporting options, says Charl Davids, director of the Centre for Student Counselling and Development at SU, who will also be a panellist at the upcoming Social Justice Café. This can help to create a culture of respect and support for survivors and reduce the stigma and shame that often surround sexual assault.
Davids says while most perpetrators of sexual assault are male, it is important to recognise that women can also be perpetrators and that sexual assault can occur between people of any gender. “Many people may not fully understand what constitutes sexual assault, how to recognise it, or how to respond to it,” says Davids.
University campuses and communities tend to educate students about stranger rape, but not date rape, Davids explains. “As a result, male and female students are silenced from the outset, as there isn’t a clear definition of date rape. The ambiguity and confusion at the cultural level lead women to deny when date rape occurs. Further, women tend to put their own communication skills on trial, wondering if they clearly communicated a lack of consent. After the rape, female students are reluctant to label the act as ‘date rape’ and are unlikely to report it.”
Caterina Lourens, a master’s student in Social Anthropology at SU, says it’s crucial to speak about date rape on a campus where men continue to commit sexual assault. “Stellenbosch has a massive drinking culture which leads to situations where men can take advantage of vulnerable women a lot easier.” Caterina thinks men’s residences are also a factor as a lot of “locker room talk” takes place where women are spoken about in a sexualised and disrespectful manner. “Being surrounded by toxic masculinity is a driving force for date rape. More emphasis must be put on educating men on consent.”
The rest of the panellists for Thursday’s discussion are Dr Jill Ryan, Coordinator of Gender Non-violence at SU’s Equality Unit and Monica du Toit, head of Monica Residence at SU.
Prof Madonsela says hosting a discussion on date rape at SU is important because universities can be a place where harmful attitudes about gender can be challenged. “By sharing information about research and activating resources we can change attitudes and behaviours to reach both victims and perpetrators of sexual assault. By coming together to learn, discuss, and strategize, we can work towards a future where all members of our community feel safe and valued,” Madonsela says.
Event details
- The Social Justice Café on 13 April will be hosted in Room 1028 at SU’s Faculty of Law from 12:30 - 14:00. Attendance is free and everybody interested in the topic is welcome. If you’re unable to attend in person, kindly find the link to the Teams meeting here: http://surl.li/garbv
- Issued by the Centre for Social Justice, Stellenbosch University. Enquiries: Marna Lourens email: mlourens@sun.ac.za; tel: 021 808 3182