Sexual violence against students at faculties: An overview of the so far research results

Abstract

Research on sexual victimization of university students particularly intensified during the 1980s. They suggest that students, especially female students, are one of the categories that are at special risk of being victimized by various forms of sexual violence during their studies. Research on sexual violence at universities in Serbia is rare, so this phenomenon is still under- researched. This paper aims to provide an overview of the results of previous research on the prevalence and structure of sexual violence against university students, groups of students at particular risk of victimization with sexual violence at the universities and the consequences of sexual violence against students at the universities in the world and in Serbia. Previous research suggested large differences in the prevalence of this form of victimization, which is a direct consequence of the application of different methodological approaches. University students are more often exposed to sexual harassment, verbal or nonverbal, as well as to harassment through physical contact or through social media, and less often to more severe forms of violence, such as rape or attempted rape. The groups that are at particular risk from sexual victimization at the universities include women, persons of different sexual orientation than heterosexual, those at the beginning of the study, as well as students who consume alcohol and/or drugs and whose material status is poor or constantly oscillates. Sexual violence leaves numerous consequences for victims, especially psychological ones, but it also negatively affects the continuation of schooling and academic achievement, so it is necessary to develop policies and mechanisms for timely recognition of victimization and providing support to victims.