Student survey reveals high level of sexual violence

A NATIONAL campus survey of university students’ experiences has revealed high levels of sexual violence and harassment.

Almost 30% of female students reported non-consensual penetration by incapacitation, force, or threat of force during their time in college. The Sexual Experiences Survey (SES) also stresses the need for on-campus action.

NUI Galway’s Active Consent programme, in partnership with the Union of Students in Ireland (USI), has launched national survey results focused on students’ sexual violence and harassment experiences in higher education institutions. A total of 6,026 students completed the survey between February and April of 2020.

It found 29% of females, 10% of males, and 28% of non-binary students reported non-consensual penetration by incapacitation, force, or threat of force during their time in college. Of the students who reported non-consensual penetration, 49% of males, 35% of females, and 25% of non-binary students said they had not disclosed the incident to anyone.

Among this group of students who did not disclose, 54% of females, 37% of males, and 33% of non-binary students said they did not disclose the incident because they thought it was not serious enough.

Dr Pádraig MacNeela, senior lecturer in psychology in NUI Galway, report coauthor and Active Consent programme leader, said: ‘The SES survey findings provide a stark depiction of the experiences that many students have had.’

And USI vice-president for welfare Róisín O’Donovan commented: ‘This research shows a gap in knowledge of how to report and what should happen when a student makes a disclosure.’