“Our Hands are Tied”: The Disconnect Between the Statutory Rape Policy and Rural Teachers’ Realities in South Africa

Introduction: South Africa’s Department of Basic Education introduced a policy in December 2021 to protect rural school learners from sexual exploitation. Schools must report statutory rape cases involving pregnant learners under 16 years of age with partners over 16. However, rural implementation faces significant barriers, highlighting the gap between policy intent and reality. Methods: A cyclical longitudinal ethnographic design was used to investigate the reasons for the limited implementation of the policy in rural schools. The data were collected through group discussions with 19 educators in August 2024 in the Soutpansberg North Circuit. The analysis, guided by an ethnographic content analysis framework, drew on intersectionality and social and cultural norms theories. Results: The findings revealed that in addition to a lack of awareness of the policy and a lack of training, deep-rooted sociocultural norms hindered teachers and schools from reporting statutory rape cases. The findings also suggested interventions to improve implementation. Conclusion: Based on the study findings, we recommend adopting a multidisciplinary approach and integrating knowledge and methodologies from various fields, such as education, psychology, and social work. Specifically, we recommend that the Department of Basic Education should raise awareness of the policy in schools and among teachers and communities; implement a confidential, standardised reporting system; and provide training to educators on handling statutory rape cases to ensure more effective implementation and achieve the intended outcomes of the policy. Policy Implications: To bridge the gap between the statutory rape policy and effective implementation, policymakers must contextualise educational policies in terms of the realities of rural South African teachers.