Intersectional Voices: Rethinking Sexual Violence on Indian University Campuses

• In Event: AERA Research-in-Progress Roundtable Session 1
  In Invited Roundtable: Feminist Perspectives on Equity and Gender-Based Violence in Secondary and Postsecondary Education Environments (Table 14)

Abstract

Sexual violence on Indian university campuses affects women in complex ways, influenced by their intersecting identities, including gender, caste, class, and religion. While extensive research has addressed sexual violence, less attention has been given to how these identities shape the experiences of women students who are not direct victims of assault. This study seeks to explore how these women perceive and navigate the prevalence of sexual violence on campus. Using a feminist phenomenological approach, the research focuses on how intersectional identities influence their understanding of sexual violence and the campus environment, offering new insights into the impact of these dynamics in higher education.

Author

• Esra Nizami, University of Massachusetts - Amherst