What this office does
The Gender Desk exists so that every student and member of staff can study and work free from harassment and discrimination. It receives and handles complaints in confidence, refers people to counselling, medical and legal support where that is needed, and runs awareness activities across the College.
- Reporting a concern. Receiving complaints of harassment, discrimination or gender-based violence, and handling them in confidence.
- Support and referral. Putting students and staff in touch with counselling, medical care and legal assistance.
- Awareness and training. Running sessions for students and staff on rights, respect and safe conduct.
- Policy. Advising College management on gender policy and on how well existing measures are working.
Get in touch
genderdesk@wesleycollegetz.com
255 752‑473434 | 255 653‑419559
Mlango Mmoja, Banda Street, Furaha Plaza, Mwanza
Gender & Safeguarding Desk (Gender Desk)
1. Core Mandate & Operational Scope
The Gender & Safeguarding Desk at Wesley College promotes a safe, inclusive, and gender-equitable academic environment. It operates as an independent, confidential unit responsible for preventing and responding to gender-based violence (GBV), sexual harassment, discrimination, and safeguarding breaches involving students, faculty, and administrative staff.
- 01Awareness & Prevention
- 02Confidential Intake
- 03Triage & Risk Audit
- 04Investigation / Committee
- 05Support & Sanctions
Core Responsibilities
- Prevention & AdvocacyConducting orientation briefings, gender mainstreaming workshops, and awareness campaigns on campus rights.
- Confidential ReportingOperating secure physical and digital reporting channels for complaints.
- Case Management & InvestigationConducting preliminary inquiries and presenting evidence to the College Gender & Disciplinary Committee.
- Victim Support & Referral RoutingFacilitating confidential psychosocial counseling, medical referrals, and legal protection.
- Policy ComplianceAligning institutional practices with national gender policies, NACTVET/TCU guidelines, and the Tanzania Police Gender and Children's Desk.
2. Standard Operating Procedure (SOP): Incident Intake & Case Resolution
Every report follows the same five stages, from the first contact through to case closure and archiving.
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First Contact, Safety Audit & Immediate Containment
- Receive the complainant in a private, secure intake room (Gender Desk Office, Room 108).
- Assess immediate physical safety, medical urgency, or psychological trauma.
- If physical assault or medical treatment is required, arrange immediate confidential transport to a certified health facility (e.g., Sekou Toure Regional Referral Hospital) for medical examination and evidence preservation (PF3 form).
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Official Case Intake & Documentation
- Issue the Confidential Incident Reporting Form (Form WC-GD-IRF-01).
- Record the complainant's detailed account (date, time, location, specific actions, witnesses, digital evidence/messages).
- Respect anonymous reporting requests, while clearly explaining the legal limits of formal disciplinary action without named testimony.
- Assign a unique Gender Desk Case Code (e.g., WC-GD-2026-004) to conceal identities on all public/committee files.
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Triage, Risk Assessment & Protective Measures
- Categorize the incident severity according to the Gender Desk Severity Matrix (Level 1 to Level 3).
- Issue immediate No-Contact Orders or temporary academic adjustments (e.g., classroom reassignment, exam arrangement changes) to protect the complainant during investigation.
- Inform the Dean of Students or Registrar only on a strict need-to-know basis without exposing sensitive personal case details.
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Investigation & Committee Review
- The Gender Desk Officer collects corroborating evidence, digital logs, and witness statements.
- Issue a formal notice of hearing to the respondent with sanitized case details to ensure due process.
- Convene the Gender & Disciplinary Committee to review findings, hear both parties independently, and determine policy violations.
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Sanction Enactment & Case Closure
- Submit committee recommendations to the Principal / Academic Board for official sanction enforcement.
- Provide ongoing psychosocial counseling support to affected parties.
- Archive case files under dual-lock physical safes and encrypted digital storage accessible only by authorized Gender Desk staff.
3. Incident Severity & Action Escalation Matrix
Reported incidents are graded on three levels, each with its own handling unit, timeline and range of sanctions.
| Severity Level | Example Offenses | Primary Handling Unit | Action Timeline | Potential Sanctions / Remedies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 Minor Infraction | Gender-based verbal microaggressions, inappropriate remarks, non-consensual sharing of non-explicit content. | Gender Desk Officer (Mediation/Warning) | Resolution within 5 Working Days | Formal written apology, mandatory gender sensitivity counseling, official warning letter. |
| Level 2 Major Violation | Quid pro quo harassment (grades/fees for favors), persistent unwanted physical contact, stalking, targeted intimidation. | Gender & Disciplinary Committee | Investigation completed within 10 Working Days | Suspension for 1–2 semesters, removal from academic roles, permanent record entry. |
| Level 3 Critical / Criminal Breach | Sexual assault, attempted rape, physical violence, blackmail using explicit materials. | Gender Desk, Principal, & Police Gender Desk | Immediate action (< 24 Hours); Police referral within 12 Hours | — |
4: Anti-Sexual Harassment & Safeguarding Policy
4.1 Policy Statement & Commitment
Wesley College is committed to maintaining an academic, working, and social environment free from all forms of sexual misconduct, exploitation, and abuse. The College operates a Zero-Tolerance Policy towards sexual harassment, coercion, and gender-based violence.
All students, faculty, administrative staff, contractors, and campus visitors are entitled to be treated with dignity and respect. Any act of sexual harassment constitutes severe misconduct and will result in immediate disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion, employment termination, and criminal prosecution.
4.2 Scope & Applicability
This policy applies to all members of the Wesley College community and covers conduct occurring:
- On-Campus. Classrooms, lecture halls, administrative offices, library, hostels, grounds, and recreational facilities.
- Off-Campus. Official college trips, field work, teaching practice, internships, sports events, and institutional social gatherings.
- Digital Platforms. Official institutional emails, student portals, learning management systems, and private messaging or social media platforms involving college community members.
4.3 Definition & Forms of Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is defined as any unwelcome, unsolicited, or non-consensual act, gesture, statement, or demand of a sexual nature that creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, or offensive environment, or conditions an academic/employment benefit on sexual favors.
Primary Forms of Prohibited Conduct
- Quid Pro Quo ("This for That"). Offering academic grades, admission, fee waivers, financial clearance, favorable evaluation, or employment benefits in exchange for sexual favors or romantic relationships.
- Verbal Harassment. Unwelcome sexual comments, suggestive jokes, persistent unwanted romantic propositions, crude remarks about body/clothing, or asking intrusive personal questions.
- Non-Verbal & Digital Harassment. Displaying or transmitting sexually suggestive images/videos, lewd gestures, persistent unwanted digital messaging (SMS, WhatsApp, email), cyber-stalking, or non-consensual recording/sharing of intimate media.
- Physical & Severe Conduct. Unwelcome touching, pinching, hugging, cornering, physical intimidation, sexual assault, attempted rape, or rape.
4.4 Consensual Amorous Relationships Policy
To prevent conflicts of interest, favoritism, and coercion:
- Academic/Supervisory Relationships. Romantic or sexual relationships between staff members and students over whom they exercise academic, evaluative, administrative, or disciplinary authority are strictly prohibited.
- Mandatory Disclosure. Any pre-existing or emerging consensual relationship between staff and students must be immediately disclosed in writing to the Directorate of Quality Assurance or the Registrar to reassign evaluative duties.
4.5 Reporting Channels & Confidentiality
Victims or witnesses of sexual harassment are encouraged to report incidents promptly. All reports are handled with the highest level of confidentiality and discretion.
In-Person Intake
Gender & Safeguarding Desk Office
Confidential Helpline / WhatsApp
Encrypted Email
Anonymous Reporting
Physical QA/Gender Dropboxes located at the Academic Block entrance.
4.6 Protection Against Retaliation
Retaliation against any student or employee who reports sexual harassment in good faith, assists another in reporting, or participates in an investigation is a severe disciplinary offense. Any retaliatory act (including intimidation, grading bias, threats, or social isolation) will result in immediate suspension pending formal hearing.
4.7 Disciplinary Sanctions & External Escalation
Proven violations of this policy carry sanctions determined by the Gender & Disciplinary Committee:
| Offender Category | Severity Level | Potential Sanctions |
|---|---|---|
| Students | Minor to Severe | Formal Reprimand → Course Discontinuation → Suspension → Permanent Expulsion. |
| Staff / Faculty | Major to Critical | Written Warning → Demotion → Immediate Termination of Contract & Summary Dismissal. |
| Criminal Offenses | Level 3 (Assault/Rape) | Immediate referral to the Tanzania Police Gender and Children's Desk for criminal prosecution. |
5. Support and Enquiries
Working Hours
Monday – Friday
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Gender Desk Queries & Compliances
Gender Desk Office