STUDENT PERSPECTIVES ON SEXUAL VIOLENCE INTERVENTIONS AND PREVENTIONS IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Abstract

Despite more focused attention on the issue of sexual violence at post-secondary institutions, cases continue to be a great concern on campuses. This research examined the interventions and preventions that had been implemented in institutions of higher education (IHEs) to prevent and respond to sexual violence for students and explored student perspectives regarding further enhancement of campus sexual safety for a more equal and welcoming learning environment to promote academic success and personal development. This qualitative single-case study focused on student perspectives at one Canadian Research University (CRU). Data were collected through document analysis, semi-structured interviews (n=8), and the researcher’s notes and were analysed following Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six-phased design of thematic analysis. The document analysis explored the policies and administrative information on sexual violence in IHEs that aimed to support students’ campus sexual safety. The findings of semi-structured interviews demonstrated students’ understanding of sexual violence and its prevalence and influences on campus as well as the students’ experiences of accessing related educational programmes, services, and policies on campus. Additionally, the students provided suggestions for further improvement: 1) raise awareness on campus, 2) expand advertising strategies, 3) enhance options for programming, 4) identify relevant services explicitly, and 5) develop inclusiveness of programming. These findings largely align with viewpoints from the literature regarding the issue of sexual violence and suggestions to improve sexual safety in higher education and elaborated various students’ perspectives on the issue. This research also provides scholars and administrators in IHEs with implications for improving and enhancing campus sexual safety for their students in the areas of practice, research, and theory.