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Exploring Sexual Assault Incidences at a Public University in Kitwe, Zambia
Abstract
The study investigates the prevalence of sexual assault at a public university in Kitwe to determine its nature and establish available reporting mechanisms for students. The study used a mixed-method approach rooted in the pragmatic paradigm to collect primary data. The participants included 49 students randomly selected from within the university community. Online questionnaires were randomly distributed to collect data. The study found that the majority of the participants (61.2%) had been victims of sexual assault before. It was further found that the leading nature of the sexual assault was unwanted touching at 66.7%, followed by unwanted kissing at 33.3%. Both attempted Rape and Rape stood at 14.3%. The study also revealed that most of the perpetrators were friends. Finally, the study showed that only 14.3% of the cases were reported while 85.7% were not. It can be concluded that Sexual assault is prevalent in higher institutions of learning. And that unwanted touching and kissing by perpetrators known to the victims are the most common forms of sexual assault. Given the statistics about reporting, a university sexual harassment policy that covers all forms of sexual-related matters including assault is needed. To deter the would-be assaulters and protect the potential victims, procedures and penalties with easily accessible channels for reporting sexual assault cases need to be instituted. Keywords: Sexual Assault, Institutions of higher learning, Sexual Assault and students, Prevalence
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