A new app, Kwanele, will help to track and counter sexual misconduct at UCT, the university says
Kwanele was created by technology-based NPO of the same name that provides support services to victims of abuse. The organisation’s chief executive officer, Leonora Tima, says the app was designed to counteract the stigma associated with reporting abuse by harnessing the power of technology. It offers a way for anyone to report incidents without bias.
The app is “survivor-centred”, according to Ms Tima and it also has the potential to collect data and to provide training on issues such as consent, healthy relationships, and bystander intervention.
Data collection can help to track and address abuse trends and identify hot spots, according to Ms Tima.
While Kwanele has the potential to benefit the broader community, its primary focus is on university students.
“A lot of people don’t understand what survivor-centred means. It doesn’t favour an outcome for the survivor. What it does do is that it helps take someone through the system where we minimise re-victimisation as much as we can,” said Ann Isaac, the legal manager of UCT’s Special Tribunal, which deals with formal disciplinary processes for sexual misconduct.
Professor Elelwani Ramugondo, UCT’s deputy vice-chancellor for transformation, student affairs and social responsiveness, said: “Kwanele didn’t just come up with an app without thinking carefully about who it serves. Those who are meant to use the service were consulted.”
