Project Objective

One of REACH’s primary objectives is to promote changes of restrictive policies affecting sexual harassment and sexual violence while advocating for policies that will provide effective recourse for victims. One of our continued lobbying efforts is to advocate for a law on sexual harassment. Through our experience we have found that many times the rape of a woman could have been prevented as months before the actual rape took place she was sexually harassed by the same perpetrator. We believe that if there is a law on dealing with sexual harassment cases, and people are made aware of it including the benefits of reporting cases, we can prevent perpetrators from reaching that point where they inflict sexual violence against an intended victim. REACH’s advocacy efforts have led to several presentations and submissions on national and international platforms.

Platforms

•On the 11th of September 2007 REACH in partnership with the Women’s Legal Centre presented a submission to Parliament's Labour Portfolio   Committee on sexual harassment in the workplace.  Our presentation was clear, concise, well delivered and well received by the Committee.  We await feedback as to the next process:  a meeting with the Committee and our organizations on how best to proceed with our recommendations made to the Department.

•On the 19th of September 2007 REACH was invited by the S.A Human Rights Commission to present a submission on our research at their Public Inquiry into Human Rights Violations in Farming Communities in Johannesburg.  The submission received fantastic media attention:  SABC Africa, SAFM, Eastrand Stereo, Cape Times, Sowetan Times, The Star, and the Mail & Guardian!

•On the 19th of November 2007 REACH was invited to hold a presentation on rural education and the impact that sexual harassment and sexual violence has on this at a two-day interprovincial meeting of the Department of Education.

•On the 27th of November 2007 REACH was invited to be the Key Note Speaker at the Department of Correctional Service’s 16 days of Activism event.  The day began with a march from the venue of the event to the local police station where a memorandum of agreement to end all forms of violence against women and children was signed by the Station Commissioner and the Mayor of the Theewaterskloof.  The entertainment segment was made up of gumboot dancing by four prisoners from the Helderstroom Prison and the Department of Correctional Services choir.  The key note address delivered by Claudia Lopes spoke of the many incidences of domestic violence and rape on farms and the deep need to stand united together to fight this epidemic.  REACH was congratulated afterwards on the very poignant but hopeful speech.

•In January 2008, REACH presented a paper based on our research study at the Global Development Network's 9th annual conference titled “Security for Development: Confronting Threats to Survival and Safety” in Brisbane, Australia after being nominated as a top 5 candidate for a medal on oustanding research. Although REACH did not win, we were thoroughly praised for a wonderful, insightful and successful presentation.

•In October 2009 the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth, Children and People with Disabilities called for submissions to review the 11th year of implementation of the Domestic Violence Act (116 of 1998). REACH together with a few key organisations worked together to present a joint submission to the Portfolio Committee. Organisations such as Mosaic, Gender Advocacy Programme, RAPCAN, Saartjie Baartman Centre, Western Cape Network on Disability, Western Cape Network on Violence against Women, Women Legal Centre formed part of the working group. The submission detailed the flaws in implementation of the Domestic Violence Act and focused on the role of the court, the police, the health system, the social welfare system and the lack of housing and shelter. The submission also made recommendations for changes with regards to each area. REACH went a step further and supported and encouraged one of its clients to tell her story to the Portfolio Committee as a way of illustrating the problems and gaps in the system around the implementation of the Domestic Violence Act. This submission was very well received by the Portfolio Committee and REACH will continue to engage with this portfolio committee to ensure that the recommendations made by the working group are followed up. The work done with individual clients is extremely important in informing the advocacy direction of the organization.

•In September 2010 a submission was made by REACH & Women’s Legal Centre to the Ministry of Justice & Constitutional Development on the 2009 Protection from Harassment Bill. The oral submission in Parliament took place on the 19th of October 2010. REACH’s submission welcomed the Bill but cautioned it not to fall prey to the implementation of Domestic Violence Act (DVA) by highlighting some of the experiences of farm/rural women. Please refer to the downloads tab to download a copy of the submission.

Download Submissions

Submission to the National Assembly Portfolio Committee on Labour on Discrimination in the Workplace: 7 September 2007


Submission to the Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth, Children and People with Disabilities on the 11th year implimentation of the DVA Act (116 of 1998): October 2009


Submission to the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development on the Protection from Harassment Bill: 19 October 2010