Dundee:Higher Education and Training Deputy Minister, Dr. Nomusa Dube-Ncube, has officially unveiled a new facility aimed at providing students with a safe environment to seek help and access support for gender-based violence (GBV), mental health challenges, and other psychosocial needs.
According to South African Government News Agency, the Comfort Room, the first of its kind in the Post-School Education and Training (PSET) sector in KwaZulu-Natal, was launched at Majuba Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College’s Dundee Campus. This initiative marks a new national vision for creating safe, supportive, and stigma-free spaces for students.
The initiative is a collaborative effort involving Higher Health, Majuba TVET College, and the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health. It aims to address the gaps in reporting and support systems that often leave GBV survivors without adequate assistance. Dube-Ncube emphasized the importance of the facility as a crucial link between young people and the services available to support them.
The launch occurs amid high levels of GBV in KwaZulu-Natal, with the Deputy Minister citing that 1,820 rapes were reported in the province between April and June this year, the highest number recorded nationally during this period. Additionally, police recorded 124 women murdered in the province during the same quarter. Dube-Ncube pointed out that these figures only represent reported cases, as many survivors remain silent due to fear, stigma, and the challenges in seeking assistance.
The Comfort Room aims to bridge these gaps by connecting students to appropriate services, such as professional counseling, healthcare, police assistance, and psychosocial support. Higher Health CEO, Professor Ramneek Ahluwalia, and his team are working with the college and other partners to ensure that students can access assistance in a supportive environment.
The facility will host survivor clubs for affected students to find solidarity and professional assistance, as well as clubs aimed at encouraging young men to challenge harmful attitudes and behaviors. It will also offer peer support forums for students living with HIV and spaces for discussions on mental health.
Dube-Ncube highlighted that Higher Health’s programs have shown young people's willingness to seek assistance when safe avenues are provided. Over the past four years, more than 394,000 students completed GBV self-risk assessments, with over 20,000 requesting help subsequently. Moreover, more than 188,000 young people have been identified as needing or actively seeking psychosocial support through mental health programs.
The Deputy Minister asserted that the launch is part of broader government efforts to strengthen the response to GBV, classified as a national disaster in November last year. She urged college management and student leaders to promote awareness of the facility, ensuring it is properly staffed and connected to local services. She also called on young men to take responsibility in ending GBV by challenging abusive behaviors and promoting respect and consent.
For assistance, Childline can be contacted free of charge on 116, while SAPS Crime Stop is available on 08600 10111. In emergencies, the police can be reached at 10111.
Students and members of the public can access support through the GBV Command Centre on 0800 428 428 or by dialling 1207867# from any cellphone. Higher Health’s 24-hour student helpline is available on 0800 36 36 36, or by SMS on 43336.