Office for Inclusivity and Change (OIC)

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Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) affects all corners of our society, including our university. The University of Cape Town’s (UCT) commitment to responding to SGBV starts with a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of sexual violence and/or sexual harassment.

Sexual Misconduct Policy and related procedures

As a new member of the UCT community, you are expected to familiarise yourself with the university’s Sexual Misconduct Policy and related procedures, and discrimination, harassment and disability services. The OIC offers Amathuba online tools relating to policies, if you would like someone to go through the policy with you, please contact Cheryl Vallay on 021 650 2767.

Important contact details

Survivor Support: yumna.patel@uct.ac.za | 021 650 3530

Respondent Support: oic.informalprocess@uct.ac.za

Campus Protection Service: CPS 24-hour toll-free number: 080 650 2222 (Students and staff can contact this number even if they have no airtime on their phones).
CPS 24-hour hotline: 021 650 2222/3

Student Wellness Services: Medical Services 021 650 1020 | Counselling Services 021 650 1017

Reporting, support and your rights at UCT

You don’t have to know what to do, you just need to know where to go.

The OIC is a safe, confidential space at UCT for students who have experienced sexual violence, gender-based violence, harassment, discrimination, bullying, or harm or who are unsure whether what they experienced “counts”.

You can speak to the OIC even if you are not ready to report and even if you never choose to report.

What can the OIC help with?

Psychosocial support (always available)

You can access psychosocial and emotional support through the OIC without starting any reporting process.

This support includes:

• a confidential consultation to talk through what happened
• emotional support and grounding
• information about options (without pressure)
• referrals to counselling and medical support, where needed.

Support comes first. Reporting is always your choice.

Reporting sexual violence at UCT

If you choose to report sexual misconduct, you can submit a report via the OIC online reporting tool or through a consultation with an OIC staff member.

• Create a direct confidential case report to the survivor support specialist using the OIC’s online portal.

Reporting allows the university to:

• access to psychosocial support
• offer appropriate support and safety measures
• identify patterns of harm
• take action where possible
• fulfil its legal responsibilities.

You remain involved in decisions about how you want to proceed.

Important legal information: SORMA reporting

Under the Sexual Offences and Related Matters Amendment Act (SORMA), the university has a legal obligation to report certain disclosures of sexual offences for record-keeping purposes.

What this means:

• The OIC must submit a report to the South African Police Service (SAPS) as required by law.
• This does NOT automatically open a criminal case.
• This does NOT mean you are laying a charge.
• This is for legal compliance and record-keeping only.

OIC staff will explain this process clearly and sensitively if it applies to your situation.

Medical support & 24/7 care access

UCT works closely with the Thuthuzela Care Centre at Victoria Hospital to ensure students can access specialised medical and forensic care 24/7 after sexual assault.

If needed:

• Transport from UCT to Victoria Hospital and back can be arranged.
• This is coordinated between Campus Protection Services (CPS) and the OIC.
• You do not have to manage this alone.

Medical care can be accessed with or without making a decision for UCT or SAPS reporting processes.

Reporting non-sexual GBV, harassment or bullying

The OIC also supports students who experience non-sexual forms of GBV, including:

• harassment
• bullying
• discrimination
• harmful or abusive conduct
• workplace grievance.

How these reports are handled:

• The OIC facilitates informal reporting processes.
• These may include educational interventions, facilitated conversations, or restorative processes through mediation.
• Participation by respondents is voluntary.

Important to know:

• If you are a student, reports for domestic violence, harassment and bullying must be made directly to:
  University Student Disciplinary Tribunal (USDT)
• If you are a student or staff member, reports for discrimination must be made directly to the OIC.

The OIC can still provide support and guidance, even if the reporting route is not an OIC informal reporting process.

Your responsibilities as a UCT student

Every student at UCT has a responsibility to:

• treat others with dignity and respect
• understand consent and boundaries
• intervene safely or seek help when harm is occurring
• report harmful behaviour when safe to do so
• engage responsibly in residences, classrooms, and social spaces.

Creating a safer campus is a shared responsibility.

Not sure what you want to do yet?

That’s okay.

You can:

• speak to the OIC without reporting
• ask questions anonymously
• take time to decide
• change your mind later.

Support does not expire.

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