Sol Plaatje University (SPU) will relaunch its Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Safety and Reporting Desk on 10 December, strengthening visibility and access to year-round support for staff and students.
While the relaunch coincides with the national 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, the initiative reflects SPU’s ongoing responsibility to create safe, just and accountable spaces beyond the campaign period. This work is rooted in the University’s values and in our commitment to protecting the dignity and wellbeing of our community.
The GBV Safety and Reporting Desk, first launched in partnership with the South African Police Service in 2024, provides confidential, immediate assistance and clear reporting pathways for individuals who have experienced harm. The enhanced visibility and renewed communication around the Desk aim to ensure that students and staff know where to turn for support at any time.
SPU’s response to GBV is guided by established institutional processes that prioritise fairness, due process, restorative justice and verified facts. These principles ensure that survivors receive care, that confidentiality is upheld and that every case is approached with seriousness and integrity.
Last month, SPU participated in the Nationwide Women’s Shutdown Campaign, demonstrating the urgency with which we view GBV as a national crisis. The upcoming relaunch builds on that commitment and forms part of our broader year-round approach to safety.
As a university carrying the name of Solomon T. Plaatje, SPU is grounded in social justice, ethical leadership and respect for human dignity. The relaunch of the GBV Safety and Reporting Desk is therefore not a stand-alone event. It is a continuation of the work we do every day to protect, support and strengthen our campus community.
SPU upholds a zero-tolerance approach to gender-based violence. Our shared future demands nothing less.
