The upsurge in sexual harassment of female students in universities in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

Abstract

Universities have become stressful institutions for female students, with cases of violence against women so rife that it has become petrifying. Owing to this, this study investigated the escalation of sexual harassment towards female students across four universities in the Eastern Cape Province. The study used the qualitative approach and the exploratory research design whilst the snowball sampling method was employed to select participants. Forty females (10 from each university in the Eastern Cape Province) shared their experience of sexual victimisation. The data obtained through semi-structured interviews were analysed thematically. Findings revealed that sexual harassment is the most common form of violence against women in universities. Sex for marks has become a norm and failure to comply results in one failing academically. The study recommended that female students should form support networks where they empower each other to overcome fear of abuse and assist victims to become survivors.