Breaking Silence: Struggling and Combating Gender-Based Violence at University

• In Event: Successful Educational Research That Overcomes Inequalities

Abstract

1) Objectives and purposes
This paper presents results of the first research conducted in Spain on gender-based violence at university (Valls, 2006-2008), yet considering the international context on the fight against it in higher education institutions. The goal is to show how its results have generated a social impact, contributing to break the silence and generating changes in the institutional structure and culture of the Spanish university. This is one of the CREA's chief contributions to the fight against gender violence in the last 25 years of working in this field.

2) Theoretical framework
International research shows that gender violence is a pervasive problem that occurs in any contexts, and shows the existence of gender violence at universities worldwide (Gross, Winslett, Roberts & Gohm, 2006). There is evidence that this form of gender violence creates an adverse context for the victims, including feelings of shame (Gross et al. 2006), being blamed for the situation suffered (Cowan 2000), and fear that their reputation is affected, which often lead victims to not report their cases (Dziech & Weiner, 1990; Stombler, 1994). At international prestigious universities there are different mechanisms to prevent gender violence and to act against it, as for example awareness campaigns or the existence of Offices of Sexual Assault Prevention and Response. However, in Spain there did not exist any mechanism to fight this problem before the beginning of the research reported here.

3) Methods
Quantitative and qualitative data was collected from a sample of 6 Spanish universities, using a communicative perspective.

4) Data sources and evidences
Data sources were: 1.083 questionnaires answered by university students, 13 in-depth interviews with teachers and administrative staff and 16 communicative daily life stories with students.

5) Results
Findings show that more than half of participants knew someone who had suffered gender violence or had suffered gender violence themselves. Moreover, results show a larger number of victims than expected. Concurrently, the dissemination of results became a crucial step in breaking the silence on gender violence in universities, as this was the first time that a research collected data about this topic and made it public. Breaking the silence brought to light violence situations which were taking place in the university context, while promoting support to victims and uncovering an institutional structure which protect the aggressors. These results have promoted the creation of the first 'Gender-violence Victims Solidarity Network' at the university context. Currently, the network gives support to former victims who are now being listened. Furthermore, this study shows evidence that people supporting gender-based violence victims are often 'second order victims'.

6) Significance of the study work
Presenting the results of the first research on gender-violence at Spanish universities contributes to show how the silence is being broken, making it possible to build on more democratic universities. Nowadays, many Spanish universities have incorporated Protocols and Equality Commissions to prevent gender violence. In addition, this project has created the context for increasing support towards gender violence victims and stop impunity towards aggressors.

Authors

• Guiomar Merodio, University of Barcelona

• Carme Garcia Yeste, Universitat Rovira i Virgili

• Beatriz Carballido Villarejo, Universitat de Barcelona