Cape Town - Stellenbosch University (SU) is investigating an alleged incident of gender-based violence on its campus after a female student was assaulted for standing up for other students.
An assault complaint has been lodged with the police.
It was alleged that the male student was bullying several female students, and the female student who witnessed the commotion intervened, which later resulted in an altercation.
The female student, whose name was withheld to avoid further victimisation, said the male student became “very aggressive and hit her in the face, resulting in a nosebleed”.
She said he said since she was a lesbian, she did not have the right to talk to him like that. “I was walking at the back. I decided to walk faster due to the commotion in front, when I heard the young man addressing women in a vulgar manner.
“I did not want to get involved but I had to say something because he wouldn’t stop degrading the students.
“I lightly reprimanded him on the subject but he became more aggressive, to the point where he said I must not take him for a fool just because I am a lesbian.
“While I was still in shock and disbelief, I was slapped across the face.
Everything that happened afterwards was kind of a blank because my brain was still trying to process the fact that I was physically assaulted by this man, about a sexuality I had not disclosed to him.
His friends were holding him back trying to stop him as he was escalating and I am guessing to ‘finish off what he started’. I was physically assaulted, dehumanised and verbally abused by the student,” she said.
SU spokesperson Martin Viljoen said a complaint was lodged with the institution and the case was reported to the Equality Unit (EqU).
“The management of SU is deeply concerned following reports of an alleged incident of gender-based violence involving Stellenbosch University students that occurred on SU’s Rooiplein.
There is absolutely no place in our society and on our campuses for this type of infringement on human rights. The university condemns all forms of discriminatory behaviour in the strongest possible terms and will not hesitate to act, based on a thorough investigation and disciplinary process,” said Viljoen.
Police spokesperson sergeant Wesley Twigg said Stellenbosch police were investigating a case of assault.
Amoyo Performing Arts Foundation co-founder and chief executive Kim Conley said she had been trying for several days to get through to Stellenbosch police to find out why the perpetrator had not been arrested.
“I am devastated that she had to deal with a man of this nature, even worse a supposedly educated man but I am also incredibly proud that she felt empowered enough to challenge him verbally and tell him that his words and actions are not acceptable. Sadly as most cowards do who can’t cope with being challenged he resorted to violence. It is absolutely unacceptable and justice must be served against all who think assault of this nature is acceptable,” said Conley.
Cape Times