Your voice matters. We are committed to a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all.
Report and Track SGBV Incidents Online →Sexual harassment and gender-based violence (SGBV) is a profound and widespread global problem, occurring in all settings, including online. It impacts almost every aspect of life and serves to reinforce social, political, and economic inequalities, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable in our society.
CUT’s Statement of Intent
The Central University of Technology commits itself to providing a safe institutional environment where all may learn, work, and go about their duties free from sexual harassment, sexual violence, gender harassment, gender bullying, sexual assault, relationship violence, other forms of gender-related misconduct, and associated claims of retaliation.
Sexual and gender-related misconduct undermines the dignity and autonomy of those victimised and erodes the mutual trust and respect essential to personal, academic, and professional wellbeing. Such misconduct constitutes a serious disciplinary offence, both in terms of institutional guidelines and the law, and will not be permitted, condoned, or tolerated. Disciplinary action, including summary dismissal or academic exclusion, may result after following due process.
CUT maintains a zero-tolerance approach to sexual and gender-related misconduct. We recognise our obligation to implement reasonable measures to ensure, as far as possible, the safety and wellbeing of all students and staff as part of our institutional and academic duty of care.
Policy and Legislative Framework
Our commitment to preventing sexual and gender-related misconduct is grounded in the following key documents:
Understanding Behaviour, Consent, and Harassment
Inappropriate Behaviour
Misconduct includes physical, verbal, or non-verbal conduct. This includes:
- Unwelcome, unwanted conduct of a sexual nature that makes a person feel discomfort, offended, humiliated, embarrassed, or intimidated.
- Harassment based on gender, being gender non-conforming, or identifying as part of the LGBTQI+ community.
Guidance: Pay attention to verbal cues and body language. Be respectful, attentive, and honour the boundaries of others.
Understanding Consent
Silence does not imply consent. Consent must be explicit, freely given, and without coercion.
- Having said "yes" before does not imply future or ongoing consent.
- Relenting or submitting under pressure does not equate to consent.
- Being in an ongoing relationship or accepting a social invitation is not consent.
- Diminished capacity (due to alcohol, medication, drugs, sleep, or unconsciousness) invalidates the ability to give consent.
Forms of Harassment and Misconduct
Verbal Harassment: Unwelcome advances, inferences, propositions, pressure for sexual activity, or offensive flirtations.
Non-Verbal Harassment: Inappropriate display of gender-degrading material, stalking, flashing, pornography, or sexually suggestive images via text, email, or social media.
Cyber Revenge: Posting or re-posting revealing images of a former partner or another person without consent.
Sexual Assault: Any sexual contact or behaviour that occurs without the explicit consent of the victim.
Physical Abuse: Actual or potential unwanted physical contact perpetrated by another person.
Sexual Exploitation: Involving a community member in sexual activity in exchange for money, gifts, accommodation, status, grades, or promotion.
Sexual Favouritism: A person in authority rewarding only those who respond to their sexual advances.
Discriminatory Abuse: Motivated by oppressive attitudes towards people on the grounds of disability, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or political beliefs.
Abuse of Power (Quid Pro Quo): Behaviour leveraging power dynamics in the campus community or workplace to demand sexual favours.
Grooming: Befriending and establishing a psychological/material connection to facilitate subsequent harassment or assault, or to hinder reporting.
Intimate Partner Violence: A pattern of controlling, coercive, threatening, degrading, or violent behaviour.
Report SGBV: Your Voice Matters
As part of our commitment to a safe campus, we have implemented CiiMs (Cyber Incident and Information Management System), a dedicated digital platform that includes a secure SGBV Report Portal. This tool enables anyone in the CUT community to report incidents quickly, safely, and without fear.
Why use the SGBV Report Portal?
- Convenience: No need to visit Protection Services, the Risk Office, or Ethics Office in person.
- Confidentiality: Your identity is protected. Choose to report anonymously or with contact details.
- Ease of Use: Follow simple, step-by-step instructions to submit your report from any location.
- Evidence Submission: Attach relevant documents, photos, or files directly to support your report.
- Secure Tracking: Receive a unique reference number to monitor the progress of your case securely.
Your courage to speak up helps us build a safer campus for everyone. All reports are treated with the utmost seriousness, sensitivity, and confidentiality by trained professionals.
Emergency Contact Numbers
If you are in immediate danger or require urgent assistance, please contact campus security immediately:
Bloemfontein Campus
+27 (0)51 507 4417
Available for immediate emergency response
Welkom Campus
+27 (0)57 910 3799
Available for immediate emergency response
