The ANC welcomes the recent launch of the Stop Rape campaign in schools by the Department of Basic Education and Lead SA, of which the President was part. The scourge of violence and sexual assault aimed at young girls, women and children in our communities is reaching alarming levels. Our violent past has impacted greatly on our current environment and we are witnessing the after-effects in our society today.
The Department of Basic Education provided the education departments with guidelines for the talks as part of ensuring that the 10,2 million learners were made to understand the enormity of the problem, but also to take the Stop Rape pledge. A rape response booklet and a poster that will help to guide educators on how to cope with this sensitive topic have been made available for download and the pledge will be available in all 11 official languages.
The Department of Basic Education has called on all schools to prepare worksheets for learners about violent and sexual crimes. The worksheets are meant to be completed at home with the help of learners' families and returned to their teachers. This is part of the awareness programme.
We are hopeful that civil society will support this Stop Rape initiative and that a positive response will be obtained. [Applause.]