The University of SA says it has issued a notice to “affected students” following outrage on social media for the outdated definition of rape in one of its study guides.
On August 14, a Twitter user identified as Robyn Porteous shared an image of an extract from a Unisa study guide that defined rape “as deliberate, illegal intercourse with a woman without her consent”.
According to the study guide, only a woman could be a victim of rape, and only a man could be the transgressor.
“In legal terms, a boy can therefore not be raped by a woman, and a girl who is sexually abused by a woman cannot be considered a victim of rape. Such sexual transgressions will be regarded as immoral assault,” read the extract.
This is the definition of rape according to an @unisa study guide, that was compiled by lecturers!! To say that I am FURIOUS that this is a) being taught to students, and b) considered good quality learning material by the lecturers at the university, is to put it mildly 🤬 pic.twitter.com/aHaTxYDKeF
— Robyn Porteous (@RobynPorteous) August 14, 2019
The definition was in the university’s study guide for EDPH0D8, the Educator in a Pastoral Role.
So, I finally have a photo of the front cover of the Study Guide from my friend – it's the current @unisa Study Guide for EDPH0D8, The Educator in a Pastoral Role, which is intended to prepare students to be able to act in a pastoral role when they start teaching. pic.twitter.com/R5HyfzkXNe
— Robyn Porteous (@RobynPorteous) August 16, 2019
Rape definition in SA
The definition of rape in SA was changed in 2007 when it was classified as an act that could be committed by both genders.
“Any person (‘A’) who unlawfully and intentionally commits an act of sexual penetration with a complainant (‘B’), without the consent of B, is guilty of the offence of rape,” defined the criminal law (sexual offences and related matters) amendment act of 2007.
PGCE material phased out
The university’s spokesperson Martin Ramotshela confirmed to our sister publication TimesLIVE that a notice was signed and issued on Monday.
“The learning material that was part of the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) qualification will be phased out and a notice has been issued out to the students,” he said.
After calling out the university on social media, Porteous said a lecturer at the university assisted in “escalating the matter to the VP & the VC”.
” … confirmed that an errata will be sent out in relation to use of the incorrect and out-of-date definition of rape.
“This is how you help, by doing what you can in the position you’re in. I’m grateful.”
The people responsible for its compilation are listed on the front cover, which begs the question HOW this definition was included, when so many people were involved: pic.twitter.com/XkUaRcnVAa
— Robyn Porteous (@RobynPorteous) August 16, 2019
Social media reactions:
Social media users, who took to Twitter, called the university’s definition “awful”, adding that it needed to publicly apologise for this “insult”.
Here is a snapshot of some of the reactions:
https://twitter.com/florestanposts/status/1162611891644112897
It's madness.
UNISA needs to publicly apologise for this INSULT to all Victims of the crime of rape. Including Male Victims.
How University Educators cannot understand that rape is about violence, is beyond me!— Cee (@CeeTalking) August 14, 2019
I've always wondered why I've had to argue about the definition of rape with so many @unisa PGCE teachers in staff rooms, at workshops etc. https://t.co/zV6dNCZTbd
— Teacher in Takkies (@So_Sinzable) August 17, 2019
I've always wondered why I've had to argue about the definition of rape with so many @unisa PGCE teachers in staff rooms, at workshops etc. https://t.co/zV6dNCZTbd
— Teacher in Takkies (@So_Sinzable) August 17, 2019
Just a quick Google search shows that at least since 2007, the legal definition has been gender neutral. Who wrote this content?
— Devon Rolfe (@DevonRolfe) August 14, 2019
It makes me wonder what else in that Study Guide might be decades out of date. 🤔
— Devon Rolfe (@DevonRolfe) August 14, 2019
Citation from 1992.
1992!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hard-earned advancement has happened since then. @unisa you seriously need a compliance (and moral and factual) upgrade. This is a disgrace as an education provider. You are perpetuating the problem.— Lisa Wallace (@LollaWallace) August 16, 2019
This is the definition of rape according to an @unisa study guide, that was compiled by lecturers!! To say that I am FURIOUS that this is a) being taught to students, and b) considered good quality learning material by the lecturers at the university, is to put it mildly 🤬 pic.twitter.com/aHaTxYDKeF
— Robyn Porteous (@RobynPorteous) August 14, 2019
