On 29 April, EFFSC UP’s top brass and student affiliates gathered at Varsity Studios to press the residence’s management to act swiftly in dealing with incidents pertaining to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) perpetuated against students.
This firm and public stand against SGBV was prompted by the EFFSC UP catching wind of a sexual harassment complaint that a student who stays at Varsity Studios lodged to the residence’s management on 27 April.
The complaint detailed how an undisclosed male resident staying at the accommodation was making untoward sexual advances toward the student. In a show of solidarity with the student, EFFSC UP impressed upon Varsity Studios’ management the importance of dealing with this case immediately, as SGBV against women and children in South Africa is unacceptable.
Their efforts and advocacy against SGBV paid off, as the complaint was escalated to a high priority case, and management reached a verdict within 24 hours. Varsity Studios management issued an official statement on 30 April, a day after the EFFSC UP visit. It stated that a decision was made to terminate the undisclosed male’s lease with immediate effect to safeguard student safety in the accommodation.
