Research briefs: sexual violence in South African schools

Findings from the SeViSSA baseline study:

High rates of sexual violence with younger learners most vulnerable

A culture of silence that normalises widespread violence

The Sexual Violence in Schools in South Africa (SeViSSA) initiative aims to create safe school environments by dealing with violence against girls. It is being implemented by Grassroot Soccer and Soul City Institute in schools within the Khayelitsha township, Cape Town, through their Kwanele Project.

This dissemination project translates key findings from the SeViSSA baseline study, which gives a picture of the situation in Khayelitsha prior to the project starting. Data from the baseline study will help monitor project progress.

I drafted and designed two research briefs from data in the SeViSSA baseline study report. There are two main purposes for these research products: to provide feedback to those participating and to disseminate useful knowledge regarding sexual violence for intervention purposes. Policy-makers and funders are further intended audiences for this knowledge.

Each of the two briefs has a distinct focus. The first highlights the high rates of sexual violence experienced by learners in Khayelitsha schools and the particular vulnerability of primary aged learners. The second brief discusses the culture of silence that accompanies this violence and the gender-norms that sanction and normalise it.

Read brief 1 (High rates of sexual violence with younger learners most vulnerable) here.

Read brief 2 (A culture of silence that normalises widespread violence) here.

I created both briefs with high graphical content, designing infographics to tell a story and communicate key data in a way that would be clear and engaging for project participants and stakeholders.

I produced the research briefs and full report documents as electronic and printable files, shared with project participants, funders and stakeholders. Readers include parliamentarians, directors and heads of government departments, funders, and donors, development organisations, NGOs, the diplomatic community, national and international research institutions, universities and schools.