Professor Jackie Dugard has been appointed the Director of the Sexual Harassment Office at Wits. Photo: Wits University.
Wits University has appointed Professor Jackie Dugard as the head of the newly established sexual harassment office.
Dugard, an admitted advocate is also the co-founder of SERI (The Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa) and holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge.
In a statement announcing Dugard’s appointment, the university said: “Professor Dugard has been tasked with assessing the current structure to deal with sexual harassment on our campuses, and to adapt it as appropriate, in line with the University’s new approved policies and procedures. Her role will include working with relevant University departments to ensure that Wits has sufficient, trustworthy systems in place to ensure a safe environment on our campuses.”
Read the full statement released by the university.
The Sexual Harassment Office was established in line with the findings of the sexual harassment inquiry last year. The university hopes the office and Dugard will “establish a system that will ensure that the rights and dignity of our staff and students are never again violated on our campuses.”