The psychosocial impact of sexual victimisation amongst female students: The case of South African rural and urban universities

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This qualitative study examines the psychosocial barriers that prevent female students from reporting sexual victimisation at selected rural and urban universities in South Africa, as well as other Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). This study aimed to examine the psychological effects and social repercussions experienced by students, including instances of sexual abuse. This study is grounded in the Lifestyle Exposure Theory by Hindelang et al. (1978) and Fattah’s (1991) Differential Risk Model. It employed semi-structured In-Depth Interviews (IDIs) with twenty-nine (29) First Responders, specifically selected from the Gender Desk, Student Governance, Health and Wellness, residence administrators, academic staff, safety and security, legal, psychology, and social work domains. These participants were chosen to provide insights on the subject matter. The findings indicate that fear of retaliation, stigmatisation, institutional distrust, and emotional trauma together perpetuate a culture of silence. The research emphasises that these barriers intensify psychological distress and social isolation in victims, thereby contributing to underreporting. The findings underscore the insufficient response to the necessity for a multi-institutional strategy to: 1) Implement trauma-informed awareness campaigns aimed at destigmatization, 2) Enhance structural support systems to bolster accountability, and 3) Ensure comprehensive staff training to eradicate biases in case management. By prioritising the welfare of survivors and confronting the societal acceptability of sexual violence, universities can mitigate the psychosocial effects of victimisation. This paper proposes the development of policies that rectify the gaps between institutional commitments and the real experiences of students, with the goal of establishing active prevention and survivor-centered justice as standard practices on campus.

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