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SCARED AT SCHOOL:
Sexual Violence Against Girls in South African Schools
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Human Rights Watch
New York · Washington · London · Brussels
Copyright © March 2001 by Human Rights Watch.
All rights reserved.
Printed in the United States of America
ISBN: 1564322572
Library of Congress Control Number: 2001087292


TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. PREFACE

ii. SUMMARY
Sexual Violence in South African Schools
Effects on Education
Response and Redress
South Africa's Obligations Under International and National Law
Methodology

III. RECOMMENDATIONS
To the Government of South Africa:
Protection from Perpetrators of Abuse
Abuse Prevention
Victim Support and Protection
Children and the Justice System
Investigation and Documentation of Abuse
To the South African Council of Educators and the Teachers' Unions of South Africa:
To Teachers' Training Colleges:
To the International Community:

IV. BACKGROUND
Impact of the Political, Social, and Economic Environment on Education 
School Violence and Apartheid Era Education
Sexual Violence in South African Society
Sexual Violence Against Girls
Attitudes Towards Violence Against Women
School Reform, Conditions, and Structure
HIV/AIDS and Education
Schools as Spaces for Violence

V. SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN SCHOOLS
Rape and Sexual Coercion By Teachers and School Employees
The Case of MC
The Case of SF
Sexual Abuse, Advances, and Harassment by Teachers 
Abusing Authority to Take Advantage of Vulnerability
"Dating" Relationships
Rape and Sexual Violence By Students
The Case of LB
Sexual Assault and Intimidation
Dating, Relationship, and Retaliation Violence
Sexual Harassment
Violence in Transit to and from School

VI. CONSEQUENCES OF GENDER VIOLENCE FOR GIRLS' EDUCATION AND HEALTH
Impact on Girls' Education 
Education Interrupted
Diminished School Performance
Emotional and Behavioral Impact
Impact on Girls' Health
Unwanted Pregnancy and Pregnancy Discrimination
Risk of Sexually Transmitted Infections

VII. THE SCHOOL RESPONSE
Barriers to Reporting Abuse
Indifferent or Inadequate Response
Ostracizing and Marginalizing Victims
Lack of Procedures and Ignorance of Existing Policy
Fear of Getting Involved
Shielding Perpetrators and Concealing Abuse
Failure to Cooperate with Investigators 
Inappropriate Responses
Supporting Victims of Violence

VIII. THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM
Reform Efforts
Response of the Criminal Justice System to Gender Violence in Schools

IX. NATIONAL AND PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
Legal Reforms
Guidelines on HIV/AIDS
National Initiatives on School Violence
National Initiatives on Gender Equity
Provincial Initiatives
Initiatives of Professional Associations
Nongovernmental Partnership Projects
Challenges Ahead
· Identification and Tracking of Abusive Teachers
· Reporting Mechanisms
· Protection for Complainants
· Coordination and Communication of Policies

X. SOUTH AFRICA'S OBLIGATIONS UNDER INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL LAW
International Law
Sexual Violence as Discrimination
The Right to Nondiscriminatory Education
National Law
XI. CONCLUSION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

APPENDICES
Appendix A: 
Appendix B:
Appendix C:
Appendix D: