Measuring sexual and gender-based violence at universities
In 2024, Université Paris Cité and Sciences Po embarked on a groundbreaking research project titled SAFEDUC, aimed at mapping sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in higher education. The initiative, supported by a grant awarded under the Initiative of Excellence Université Paris 2019 (IdEx UP19), sought to shed light on the prevalence and nature of these violences in university settings.
The SAFEDUC study surveyed over 5,000 students, providing quantitative data that highlighted the extent of exposure to sexual and sexist violence among students. The research aimed to identify which groups are most at risk and the contexts in which such violence occurs within university environments.
The findings of SAFEDUC 2024 were presented by the research team, including Victor Coutolleau, a postdoctoral researcher in sociology within the Programme d'études sur le genre de Sciences Po, and Clara Le Gallic-Ach, a doctoral student in sociology at the Institut national d'études démographiques and the Centre de Recherche sur les Inégalités Sociales (CRIS) of Sciences Po. The event was supported by key organizations and involved members of both Université Paris Cité and Sciences Po academic communities.
The event, which was broadcast live in some campuses such as Le Havre, Menton, and Nancy, was opened by Édouard Kaminski, President of Université Paris Cité, and Luis Vassy, Director of Sciences Po. A discussion on measuring the prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence in higher education was moderated by Joëlle Kivits, a professor of universities in sociology and public health within the unité "Évaluation et recherche en services et politiques en santé pour les populations vulnérables" (ECEVE), vice-president of Egalité, Diversité, Inclusion at Université Paris Cité.
While specific detailed results were not disclosed in the search, the SAFEDUC study provides valuable insights into the prevalence and contexts of sexual and gender-based violence in higher education. The research underscores the importance of continued efforts to address these issues and create safer, more inclusive university environments.
For those interested in learning more about the SAFEDUC project, the Sciences Po library offers a bibliographic selection, accessible here. A recording of the event can also be viewed here.
- The SAFEDUC study, conducted in 2024 by Université Paris Cité and Sciences Po, is a groundbreaking research focusing on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in higher education, which aligns with the field of general news and mental health, as it addresses a pressing issue related to students' well-being.
- Beyond SGBV, the SAFEDUC project delves into sexual and sexist violence among students, adding valuable data to the health-and-wellness discourse, shedding light on the prevalence, nature, and contexts of such violence, particularly in university settings.
- Extending beyond SAFEDUC's specific findings, the research emphasizes the importance of addressing sexual and gender-based violence in higher education, which is a critical aspect of crime-and-justice, ensuring safer and more inclusive university environments for all students.
