Risky residences: An exploratory study of sexual violence in university halls of residence

Abstract

<p>Sexual violence within university populations is a well-known problem, however relatively little is known about the experience of sexual violence among New Zealand university students. There is even less known about women‟s experiences of sexual violence occurring in university halls of residence. This thesis addresses this gap in knowledge and understanding. Influenced by feminist perspectives and adopting a qualitative framework, this research employed semi-structured face-to-face interviews with four victims/survivors of sexual violence in university halls, and six key informants who work with students living in student accommodation or at the wider university. This study found that sexual violence occurring in halls had devastating impacts for women, affecting their personal, emotional, social and academic worlds. Further, this study also found that women were unlikely to disclose through formal channels such as the Police, but disclosure to informal supports was common. As well as this, data suggested that responding to sexual violence in this context is complex, as the needs of both alleged victims and alleged perpetrators must be carefully balanced. This complexity has meant that current responses to sexual violence are in many ways reactive rather than proactive and need to be comprehensively developed to respond to the unique challenges provided within the university environment. The findings from this study support the development of robust sexual violence response processes and the widespread delivery of education about sexual violence among university students, as well as for those charged with managing students‟ welfare.</p>

Barriers and Facilitators to Engaging with Online Sexual Harm Prevention Programmes: Understanding University Students’ Experiences and Perceptions Towards Te Herenga Waka- Victoria University of Wellington’s Respectful Relationships Modules

“…Victims of sexual harm also have an increased risk of developing psychological disorders and experience poorer psychological well-being following sexually harmful events (Choudhary et al, 2011;Guina et al, 2016;Keene 2015;Koss et al, 1991;Lichty & Campbell, 2012;. A review conducted by Basile and Smith (2011), examined the prevalence, characteristics, vulnerability factors, and impacts of sexual harm victimisation among women and identified several psychological effects.…”

“…The most common place that sexual assault is reported to be experienced amongst university students is within university halls of residences (Fisher et al, 2000;Revolt Sexual Assault & The Student Room, 2018). Keene (2015) has argued that: "Sexual violence within university student accommodation (known as halls of residence) is a substantive issue that requires significant attention" (Keene, 2015, p11). This occurrence could be explained by the previously discussed risk associated with multiple residential housing (Cant et al, 2019;Ministry of Justice, 2022a;2022b) and may be heightened due to student specific factors later discussed (Fisher et al, 2000;Katz et al, 2010;Keene, 2015).…”

“…The same pattern is observed in university populations with sexual harm often involving individuals known to the victim such as known others (7.5%), current or ex-intimates (2.6%-23.7%), fellow students (27.8% to 43.5%), and friends (31.3% to 34.2%) (Fisher et al, 2000(Fisher et al, , 2003Revolt Sexual Assault & The Student Room, 2018). This may also contribute to the heightened risk of sexual harm to students living in multiple resident housing as they are both more likely to know the individuals they live with and may be more likely to give access to individuals that they know to their room compared to strangers (Keene, 2015). Universities should aim to dismantle the common rape myth endorsed by students that sexual harm occurs between strangers in a dark alleyway by making students aware of the risk of sexual victimisation within their accommodation and committed by people they know.…”

“…Universities should aim to dismantle the common rape myth endorsed by students that sexual harm occurs between strangers in a dark alleyway by making students aware of the risk of sexual victimisation within their accommodation and committed by people they know. Lastly, universities should aim to make student accommodation safer and prevent sexual harm by increasing surveillance and should implement interventions aimed at restructuring social norms within halls to reduce complacency and the normalisation of sexual harmful behaviours (Keene, 2015).…”

“…The intersectional nature of factors associated with increased rates of sexual victimisation, such as age, gender, low income, lack of support, substance use, and living in multi-residential housing, have been suggested to contribute to the high prevalence of sexual harm among university students (Cashell-Smith et al, 2007;Fisher et al, 2000;Greco and Dawgert, 2007;Krebs et al, 2007;Katz et al, 2010;Keene, 2015;Morgan, & Kena, 2018;Runarsdottir et al, 2019;World Health Organisation, 2002). In addition, students may also experience factors associated with an increased risks of sexual harm not otherwise experienced in the same way or at the same rate by the general population (Keene, 2015;Showden, 2018).…”