As a child online safety and digital literacy programme, Web Rangers notes that all cases involving sexual harassment and harms at schools are of a sensitive nature and require urgent, considered and coordinated action from schools in line with social media guidelines and policies developed by the school to protect the child victim and perpetrator from further harm and exploitation. Web Rangers promotes a rights -based approach in dealing with such harms and therefore issues the following advisory notice as a guidance note in response to a possible sexual harassment incident, non-consensual intimate image sharing, or other online harm experienced involving students at your school:      

In scenarios where the identity of the perpetrator is known or unknown the following steps may be taken:  GBR – Gather, Block and Report.

Immediate steps:

It is essential that the privacy and dignity of the learner(s) involved are respected and protected at all times. Using the school’s Code of Conduct and relevant safeguarding policies, the school must engage separately and sensitively with the parents or guardians of both the victim and the alleged perpetrator, while safeguarding the confidentiality of all learners concerned. For the parents of the victim, the school should make contact and privately to acknowledge what has happened and the emotional impact it may have on their child. Parents should be walked through the GBR as detailed below:

1. Gather: in any case one of the most important elements is to ensure that as much evidence is collected as possible.  To begin with, screen grabs of all messages are a good idea.  Where disappearing message or view once features are deployed, we advise that the person uses a second device, if possible, to video the device as a message comes in or is opened.  In other words, use another device to record all the messages from start to finish.  When videoing be sure to state the date and time the video was being made.  All these elements are key to provide that the person who sent the messages really did send them.  

Ideally the child victim should be assisted by the school or parent to secure all evidence in relation to the matter (conversations, images/videos shared, witness statements etc) for investigative and reporting purposes.

                  1. Video evidence of the entire matter should be recorded using a secondary device to avoid any tampering or AI manipulation

                   2. Keep a record: It will also be useful if a written summary of the harm is developed.  For example: “On XX date I received a message or messages from XX.  At first, they asked for…." set out in simple language detailing what happened, when it happened and how the person responded.  

2. Block:  the next step is to block the user, profile and or number, so that the harm can be limited.  Again, take screen grabs of the blocked number/profile etc. and also a video if possible, showing the account is blocked.

3. Report:  Report the incident.  Sexual harassment cases should be reported to the Film and Publication Board (FPB) hotline Tel: 0800 148 148 emails: hotline@fpb.org.za and nearest South African Police Services. In order to help us gather evidence as Moxii Africa we would ask that you share only the written summary with us, so we know what has happened.

Next step Actions

4. You can apply to a magistrate in whose area of jurisdiction the school is situated for a protection order against the perpetrating person/user account or number pending the finalisation of any and/or all investigations.  This may require additional resources.  Contact Moxii Africa if you feel this is an essential option. For example, despite being blocked, the perpetrators found a new way to harass or harm. (Note: This provision applies only where the alleged perpetrator is an adult, or is at least three years older than the victim. Where all parties are under the age of 18, a less punitive and more restorative approach is recommended.)

5. Report the matter on the social media or digital platform where the violation occurred.  This may not have a positive result, and will likely see all posts being removed. So only do this after you have captured all the evidence.  

6. For the school: Without disclosing specific details of the investigation or learner, inform all learners and parents of the violation, the steps taken, and the current stage of the investigation. This will help deter future misconduct involving students and encourage more timely reporting of similar incidents. All communication should be shared through the school’s official communication channels.

If Moxii Africa has been approached for assistance, please keep us informed once the investigation has been concluded. This will enable us to assess any further steps that may be necessary to ensure appropriate redress and to document the matter as a case study, should similar incidents arise in the future.

For any enquiries concerning child online safety or digital matters involving learners, kindly contact Moxii Africa’s Children’s Project Coordinator:

Tumelo Hlaka - tumeloh@mma.org.za  

076-431-9349

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About Web Rangers:

Web Rangers is a digital citizenship programme that empowers young South Africans with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to use the internet safely and responsibly. Now in its 11th year, the programme has reached over 12000 learners across Gauteng, North West, Western Cape, Limpopo and KwaZulu Natal provinces, addressing critical issues including cyberbullying, online privacy, misinformation, and digital rights. Project partners include The Department of Communications & Digital Technologies (DCDT), Google, Meta, MTN, Falcorp, Catholic institute of Education (CIE).