Minister of Education
- Whether her Department has a sexual harassment policy; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
- what is the turnaround time for departmental investigations of complaints related to sexual harassment?
15. (1) Yes, the WCED implements the Provincial Protocol Document Dealing with Child Abuse, Deliberate Neglect and Sexual Offences Against Children: Abuse No More (amended 2014) together with the DBE Protocol for the Management and Reporting of Sexual Abuse and Harassment in Schools. These are also underpinned by the Policy and Procedures on the Management of Sexual Harassment in The Public Service.
These documents are guided by national legislation such as the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 32 of 2007 and the Children’s Act 38 of 2005 protecting children from sexual grooming and consensual sex with adults. Training and capacity building of educators, learners and parents forms part of the job description of the district social worker. All WCED schools have been trained on the Abuse No More Protocol document, and top-up and refresher training remains ongoing.
(2) The WCED has a policy of zero tolerance with regards to sexual harassment cases. These cases are prioritised and investigated immediately. The WCED commits itself to work within a 90-day period, where possible. Sufficient and reliable evidence needs to exist before we charge an employee.
