Rhodes University Vice Chancellor Sizwe Mabizela yesterday announced wide-ranging plans to bolster the university’s response to sexual violence.
But, at the same time Mabizela roundly condemned the anonymous publication of a list of names of past and present students who it was alleged were guilty of sexual violence.
The so-called #RUReferenceList has gone viral after being anonymously posted on the SRC social media page on Sunday night.
It sparked widespread protests on campus and resulted in some of the men being hunted down and held against their will by groups of angry students, he said.
Mabizela described the publication of the list as extremely damaging to them and a complete violation of their rights, including the right to due process and a presumption of innocence.
“The university believes that if, after being charged and found guilty of having committed rape or sexual assault, a perpetrator must be punished to the fullest extent of the law.” But, until then they had to be presumed innocent.
He said that the university agreed with protesting students on almost every issue raised. Students have demanded that the university review their policies and processes as they contributed rather than inhibited rape culture at the university.
But, he said the one area in which there was no agreement was the demand that those on the list be removed from the university. “The university must accord all students the right to a fair trial.”
Some of the measures announced yesterday included appointing a task team consisting of staff and students to look at ways to strengthen the university’s response to sexual violence.
While he was addressing the media, hundreds of angry students sang outside and waved placards condemning the university’s response to their demands.
Rhodes acts to fight rape crisis
But, at the same time Mabizela roundly condemned the anonymous publication of a list of names of past and present students who it was alleged were guilty of sexual violence.
The so-called #RUReferenceList has gone viral after being anonymously posted on the SRC social media page on Sunday night.
It sparked widespread protests on campus and resulted in some of the men being hunted down and held against their will by groups of angry students, he said.
Mabizela described the publication of the list as extremely damaging to them and a complete violation of their rights, including the right to due process and a presumption of innocence.
“The university believes that if, after being charged and found guilty of having committed rape or sexual assault, a perpetrator must be punished to the fullest extent of the law.” But, until then they had to be presumed innocent.
He said that the university agreed with protesting students on almost every issue raised. Students have demanded that the university review their policies and processes as they contributed rather than inhibited rape culture at the university.
But, he said the one area in which there was no agreement was the demand that those on the list be removed from the university. “The university must accord all students the right to a fair trial.”
Some of the measures announced yesterday included appointing a task team consisting of staff and students to look at ways to strengthen the university’s response to sexual violence.
While he was addressing the media, hundreds of angry students sang outside and waved placards condemning the university’s response to their demands.
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