More than 51% of students at 3 universities surveyed have been sexually harassed

The data was shared from a survey on student safety in schools within the framework of the “Safe Campuses” project carried out at three universities in the North. The program was implemented by Hanoi National University of Education with the support of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) to eliminate gender-based violence including sexual harassment in universities.

Specifically, among students, 944 students (51.8%) surveyed at all three universities had experienced at least one manifestation of sexual harassment.

Among them, the number of female students who were sexually harassed was higher than that of male students in all different manifestations and forms of sexual harassment.

Specifically, with different manifestations of sexual harassment forms surveyed (including verbal, visual, direct touching, exhibitionism, etc.), the number of female students reporting having been harassed was much higher than that of male students, with a total of 812/944 students (accounting for 86%).

How are people who commit sexual harassment handled? (Illustration photo)

In the form of verbal sexual harassment (such as: flirting, flirting, sexually suggestive gestures, comments or jokes that make you feel uncomfortable) 315 female students reported, while only 23 male students experienced this form of violence.

With the experience of exhibitionism and sexual harassment by image (such as showing or sending sexual images or videos that you do not want to see or receive), the number of female students who were harassed was also higher with 140 students, while male students were only 15 students.

Among staff and lecturers, 30.2% (105/350 staff and lecturers) in all 3 schools have experienced at least one of the following behaviors:sexual harassment.

In addition, both students and staff have been subjected to different forms of violence such as physical violence, mental violence, economic violence and sexual violence; of which mental violence is the most common.

According to the general assessment of both students and lecturers, forms of violence and sexual harassment are not common and are not a matter of concern at all three universities surveyed.

However, both students and lecturers are concerned about the insecurity of some locations in the university such as: the way to the dormitory, the school gate and the stadium. Meanwhile, lecture halls, libraries and dormitories are places with great safety for students, staff and lecturers both during and outside of office hours.

The location that students at all three schools rated as the most unsafe both during (32.9%) and outside of office hours (52.6%) was the road to the dormitory; followed by the school gate when rated during office hours (26.6%) and outside of office hours (39.6%).

Notably, up to 51% of surveyed students did not know there was a counseling room at the school.

Accordingly, the survey team also proposed that the Ministry of Education and Training should issue a common code of conduct to ensure the safety of staff, lecturers and students on university campuses and implement it nationwide.

At the same time, strengthen coordination with relevant ministries, departments and branches to consult, compile and promulgate regulations on sanctioning acts of violence and sexual harassment in the university environment.

Universities should plan and increase the organization of training courses and talk shows for students to improve their understanding of sexual violence and how to seek support when experiencing or witnessing violence. It is necessary to build psychological counseling rooms in all schools to provide timely and effective support for students and lecturers.

At the same time, codes of conduct and procedures for receiving and handling cases related to violent behavior, especially sexual violence among students and lecturers, should be issued so that students can be proactive and confident in reporting cases of sexual violence when they witness or are victims of violence. In addition, cameras should be installed in unsafe areas for regular detection and protection.