Campus safety calls for partnership against crime

This inaugural summit was organised by the Ministry of Police along with the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Higher Education and Training in the light of the worrying issue of campus safety.

It brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to provide input and help develop a national framework for campus safety.  This is among the most ambitious efforts of its kind ever undertaken anywhere in the world.

Stephen Ngobeni of South African Student Support Services, one of the event’s key organisers, called for a “partnership against crime”.

“We want to make sure that there is situation of order and that then gives rise to a climate where there can be learning and teaching and research on campus and the purpose is to ensure that students in particular feel safe, managers feel protected and the environment  of teaching and learning exists,” he said.

The security issues raised by the #FeesMustFall protests, high profile murders on campuses and gender-based violence have recently highlighted the need for coordinated, participatory partnership for campus safety.

The keynote speaker was Daniel Carter, President of Safety Advisors for Educational Campuses.

In his address he spoke at length about the ground-breaking Jeanne Clery Act in the US which had provided legislative support for campus security efforts.

The key message was that campus security should be a shared responsibility.

While many of the delegates said they knew of crimes occurring on their campuses, they also said there weren’t official disclosures. This type of formal disclosure, allowing campus communities to understand the full nature and scope of the challenge, is the first step in developing solutions.

Summit organisers are currently working on a report that will share policy recommendations for a national campus safety framework with stakeholders and government officials.