The Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT) has taken a stand against gender-based violence (GBV). On 24 May 2023 MUT held a GBV webinar to discuss the Bystander effect.
MUT held the webinar to discuss how bystanders react to GBV. Bystanders are individuals who see violence or witness the conditions that lead to violence. They are not involved but they do have a choice to intervene, speak up, or do something to stop it.
It was for these reasons that MUT decided to have this webinar so that students, staff and any other bystanders could do something about GBV. Student Counselling was involved in the webinar and it was hoped that this webinar would help to bring awareness to gender-based violence and hopefully stop GBV.
According to Stats SA ‘’a larger proportion of females felt unsafe walking alone at night in their neighbourhoods compared to males’’.
‘‘Violence against women remains high’’ noted a recent UN Women report.
‘’At MUT we realised that in order for our efforts against GBV to take-off; we needed a commitment at the highest level of university. In 2018 the highest academic body – Senate – took a stand against GBV (and xeonophobia). In its statement, Senate ‘’committed to enhancing measures to support survivors and ensure that perpetrators are prosecuted under the law’’, said Ms Mbali Mkhize, Senior Director, Marketing and Communications at MUT.
Men are called upon to challenge viewpoints and attitudes that have an impact on violence against women and children. You may need help if you say YES to any of these statements:
- We cannot and can never separate or divorce.
- I cannot live without her.
- I have had sex with a drunken person.
- I have ignored someone asking me to stop continuing a sexual act.
- She cheated on me, so I had to punish her.
- I believe that when she says ‘NO’, she means ‘YES’.
- I spent money on her – she owed me sex, so I took what she owed me.
- She was dressed like she wanted sex.
Dial the free helpline 0800 428 428 and get help immediately.
Student counselling is a student support unit within the Student Affairs department at MUT. The Student Counselling unit can also help students that are the victims of GBV. The role of student counselling is to complement the academic/educational objectives of MUT by providing personal, emotional, psychological, psycho-social and academic support to students.
Appointments can be made by emailing the departmental secretary at shezi.queen@mut.ac.za or call 031 907 7186 at the following times: 8h30 – 12h00 or 13h00 – 16h00.
Other useful emergency numbers:
- Higher Health 24-hour toll free helpline: 0800 36 36 36 ; SMS 43336
- Lifeline: 0861 322 322
- South African Depression & Anxiety Group (SADAG) : 0800 567 567
- 24 hour helpline: 0800 456 789;
- GBV Line: 0800 428 428
For more information visit www.mut.ac.za