Wits apologises to victims of sex abuse

Habib released a report that probed sexual harassment allegations that surfaced on campus.

A six-month investigation was undertaken by an independent board of inquiry which looked into the nature, scale and extent of the problem on the campus.

Students and academics were interviewed as part of the investigations.

The action was taken after the university publication, Vuvuzela reported about a sexual harassment of a student by an academic in 2012. The Sunday Times also reported about alleged incidents of sexual harassment by a school of arts academic earlier this year.

Habib remarked that the “university welcomed the report for its rigour and its constructive recommendations and accepts full

responsibility for the abuses committed on its campuses”.

The report highlighted the inadequacy of the university’s systems to address sexual rumours and allegations decisively. It also provided a set of guidelines on policies, organisational structures and systems for the university as it crafted a substantive response to sexual harassment.

A senior executive team will initiate an action plan and a broad set of interventions, driven directly from the vice-chancellor’s office with the assistance of an advisory group.

“It is the view of the university that sexual harassment and sexual predation can’t be eliminated overnight,” said spokesperson Shirona Patel.

Patel added, “The university will accelerate a process of robust change in governance structures, policies and procedures and the problematic institutional cultures associated with sexual harassment.

“Wits remains committed to creating safe spaces on its campuses and developing an institution that responds sensitively and appropriately to all forms of sexual harassment.”