Perspectives and experiences of gender violence in universities

• Grant number: 22/14393-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2023
• End date: February 29, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Psychology - Psychological Treatment and Prevention
• Principal Investigator: Sabrina Mazo D'Affonseca
• Grantee: Leticia Marques Valli
• Host Institution: Centro de Educação e Ciências Humanas (CECH). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The present historical structure, which has patriarchal socialization, propagates unequal power between genders. Patriarchal society naturalizes violence as part of gender identity and values stereotyped male behavior, which, therefore, induces the idea that men are violent and dominant, while women are weak and submissive. Universities, as social institutions, do not escape this reality, on the contrary, they reproduce gender inequality and its consequences. In this way, violence in the university environment establishes an unstable and aggressive scenario for students. At the same time, universities play a crucial role in containing and preventing the problem and supporting victims. Thus, this research aims to analyze students' perceptions of gender violence experienced and witnessed in the university environment. 20 undergraduate or graduate university students will participate in the research, 10 male and 10 female. Students will be divided in two focus groups, one made up of women and one made up of men. In total, 3 meetings will be held with each group, which will be conducted by the researcher and an assistant. The meetings will be recorded and later transcribed and analyzed qualitatively from the thematic analysis. It is expected, from the focus group, to understand the perception of university students regarding gender violence, identify beliefs and myths about gender violence present in the university environment and map the students' opinion regarding the strategies carried out by universities to face, avoid and/or overcome the problem.