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Statements

Reporting Allegations of Gender-Based Harm

The University is aware of information currently circulating on social media concerning an alleged incident of gender-based harm on campus. Allegations of this nature are serious and are treated with the deepest concern and utmost attention. The University has made several attempts to engage the individual who raised the allegation through available channels, but these attempts have thus far not elicited a response.

Gender-based harm remains a pervasive societal problem that causes significant harm to individuals, families and communities. We recognise the courage that it takes to report incidents and we encourage survivors to come forward and report experiences with as much detail as possible to our relevant structures. 

We remain committed to fostering an environment where those who experience gender-based harms feel safe, supported and able to seek assistance without fear, stigma, or retaliation. Reporting such experiences should always be met with dignity, compassion, and respect.

At the same time, fairness, integrity and accountability are fundamental principles that guide our response to all allegations. It is important that information shared is accurate, verified and responsible. The creation, alteration or circulation of unverified information can cause significant harm to all parties involved, undermine trust in institutional and legal processes, and compromise efforts to address experiences of violence and abuse effectively.

Matters of this nature require careful and sensitive consideration and should be addressed through appropriate processes that are fair and responsible. Supporting survivors and ensuring fairness are not competing values; both are essential to achieving justice and accountability.

We therefore encourage any complainant to contact the University through the following reporting channels:

Report Incidents of Gender Based Harm /Violence

Report all incidents of gender based harm/violence to the Gender Equity Office via the following channels to ensure rapid and confidential support.

  • Report in-person at the Gender Equity Office situated on the 20th floor, Es’kia Mphahlele building (Wits Arts Museum)
  • Call the Wits Students’ Crisis Line (0800 111 331), available 24/7/365
  • Email info.geo@wits.ac.za
  • Report Online via the GBH Online Reporting Portal

[WATCH] How to Report a GBH, Bullying and Discrimination Matter Online

Our commitment remains unchanged. We stand firmly against sexual and gender-based harms, support individuals who come forward with such complaints, and are resolute in fostering an environment that promotes integrity, accountability and safety.

 

19 August 2026

Gender Equity Office

Marking Women's Month 2026

Marking Women's Month 2026

As we commemorate Women's Month, Wits University reaffirms its commitment to promoting gender equality, advancing human dignity and creating a safe and inclusive environment for all members of our community. 

Women's Month provides an opportunity to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women and to reflect on the persistent challenges of gender-based harm/violence, discrimination, harassment and inequality that continue to affect our society. We remain committed to fostering a culture in which everyone is treated with dignity, respect and fairness. 

A critical part of building such a culture is ensuring that students and staff feel safe and supported when raising concerns about gender-based harm, harassment, discrimination or other forms of misconduct. The University encourages members of the community to make use of established reporting and support mechanisms, knowing that concerns brought forward will be treated seriously, sensitively and in accordance with applicable institutional processes. 

Report Incidents of Gender-Based Harm/Violence 

Report all incidents of gender-based harm/violence to the Gender Equity Office via the following channels to ensure rapid and confidential support.  

  • Report in-person at the Gender Equity Office situated on the 20th floor, Es’kia Mphahlele building (Wits Arts Museum) 
  • Call the Wits Students’ Crisis Line (0800 111 331), available 24/7/365 
  • Email info.geo@wits.ac.za   
  • Report Online via the GBH online reporting portal

[WATCH] How to Report a GBH, Bullying and Discrimination Matter Online 

We encourage all members of the University community to engage sensitively and responsibly with all gender-based harm/violence complaints, to provide as much information and supporting details as possible to allow for comprehensive investigative processes of allegations thereby assisting the University to properly investigate the matter, to respect the rights and dignity of others, and to allow appropriate institutional processes to address concerns when they arise. 

In doing so, we strengthen confidence in our reporting systems, support fair outcomes, contribute to a campus environment built on trust and mutual respect, that is free from gender-based harm and violence. 

As we mark Women's Month, let us recommit to creating a community where equality is advanced, gender oppression is eradicated and where every person can participate fully and safely in academic and campus life. 

Wits stands firmly against gender-based harm

Wits University reaffirms its commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive and socially just environment for every member of our community. Students and staff must learn and work in an environment where their physical, psychological, emotional and sexual safety is protected.

Gender-based harm and violence, including bullying, harassment and discrimination, violate human dignity, erode trust and hinder the ability of individuals to learn, work and thrive. No person should be required to navigate institutional or societal cultures where power and control are enacted through violence that erodes dignity and integrity.

We acknowledge the importance of listening deeply to the lived experiences of individuals and we recognise the need for honest, transparent and meaningful engagement, whilst following due process.

The University is committed to acting decisively, compassionately and urgently in responding to all reported incidents and will ensure that complainants are supported and that justice is pursued. We will continue to strengthen our systems and continue to advocate for the prevention of gender-based harm or violence.

We call on all members of our community to work with us to build a University where respect, equality and safety are lived realities for all.

How to report an incident

[WATCH]  How to Report a GBH matter online

You can report an incident as follows:

The University has introduced this dedicated online reporting platform to ensure that all forms of harm are addressed promptly, fairly and transparently.

Emergency telephonic counselling can also be accessed via the Wits Students’ Crisis Line on 0800 111 331. This line is available to all Wits students 24/7/365. The Wits Student Crisis App is also available for students who prefer live chat or text counselling or contact CCDU for assistance.

Update on the Inquiry into Allegations of Sexual and Gender Related Misconduct

In November last year, a serious allegation relating to the sexual violation of a 20-year-old female student by a fellow student on campus, was widely publicised within the University community at the time. Given the public interest regarding the allegations, we felt that it is important to provide an update in relation to this matter.  

Upon receiving an anonymous report regarding these allegations via the online reporting platform from a third party, the GEO immediately placed the alleged respondent on precautionary suspension and initiated an internal inquiry in line with the University’s rules, policies and procedures. It is important to note that notwithstanding several attempts to contact the complainant through the third party, the GEO was unfortunately unable to do so. Notwithstanding this, the GEO nonetheless proceeded to conduct an inquiry into the allegations which included an extensive review of the University’s CCTV footage and ICAM records to gain an understanding of the respondent’s whereabouts at the time and place that it was alleged that the incident occurred. The inquiry included consultations with potential witnesses, including students and staff members on duty on the day of the alleged incident. 

Following the conclusion of the inquiry and based upon the limited information available to the GEO, it has been determined, in consultation with the Gender Equity Advisory Committee, that the available information is not sufficient to sustain the continued precautionary suspension of the respondent.

Whilst the GEO understands and respects the right of the complainant to remain anonymous, it must be noted that in this instance, the anonymous complaint introduced limitations to the manner in which the GEO could respond to these specific allegations of misconduct.

The GEO remains committed to addressing allegations of gender-based harm and any student or staff member that has experienced or witnessed sexual or gender-related misconduct is encouraged to report such misconduct to the Gender Equity Office. We continue to call on all members of our community to work with us to build a University where respect, equality and safety are lived realities for all.

Report Incidents of Gender-Based Harm 

Report incidents of gender-based harm to the Gender Equity Office via the following channels to ensure rapid and confidential support. 

Complainants may also seek assistance from the South African Police Service, trusted allies or registered external organisations. The University respects and supports all reporting channels chosen by complainants.

To ensure safety while incidents are being processed, the University implements protective measures such as no-contact directives and interim suspensions where allegations warrant such action. These measures help ensure that the well-being of the complainants and the broader campus community is protected during investigations.

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