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Despite previous studies hinting at the profound impact of gender-based violence (GBV) in research institutions, there has been a lack of comprehensive understanding of the issue. As Sofia Strid, scientific coordinator of UniSAFE, notes:
“Academia is not just any other workplace – it’s a hotpot of power and authority and hierarchy, structured by age, gender and other inequalities. We’ve known for some time about the negative consequences of GBV in higher education, but we didn’t have specific numbers.”
While there has been recent increased action at European policy level to recognise and address GBV in academia, it’s remained largely under-addressed. Without sufficient knowledge and infrastructure in place, it’s difficult to fully prevent, protect or prosecute such violence.
The UniSAFE project’s objectives were very clear – to comprehend contexts of GBV, gather evidence of its prevalence and effects, understand its causes and implement effective countermeasures.
“Our aim was to produce better knowledge of GBV in higher education,” explains Strid, an associate professor of Gender Studies at Örebro University, “and to translate this knowledge into innovative operational tools and recommendations that research organisations could use.”
Unprecedented results
UniSAFE conducted an unprecedented survey spanning 15 countries, including extensive research interviews and case studies.
It revealed that 62 % of the 42 000 respondents had experienced some form of GBV within their academic or research environments. And while much of the focus has historically been on violence against women, this survey addressed violence against men and non-binary individuals, as well.
“The prevalence numbers are shockingly high,” Strid adds, “and even higher for non-binary people, ethnic minorities and people with a disability or chronic illness. In contrast, reporting numbers are low: only 12.5 % of respondents who experienced GBV had reported it.”
Key questions were also asked such as whether there are sufficient legal or policy frameworks in EU Member States to drive institutional change. While policy interventions are essential, their efficacy depends on their implementation at all levels.
The importance of research-performing organisations
One of the primary challenges for UniSAFE was overcoming institutional resistance. While there was widespread acknowledgment of the GBV, translating that awareness into meaningful action often encountered barriers. The project ensured key stakeholders came together to form partnerships, share knowledge and develop practical solutions.
Building this supportive community within research-performing organisations (RPOs) was instrumental in driving progress. By engaging with RPOs and involving them in research activities, a sense of shared and collective responsibility was established.
“We wanted to build an RPO community,” says Strid. “Forty-six RPOs in 15 countries were involved in the survey. We worked together with the RPOs in policy mapping, case studies, and in nine workshops to translate our research results into tools and recommendations.”
New models for gender-based violence
Over three years, UniSAFE provided up-to-date, robust and reliable data on newly emerging forms of violence at RPOs, along with an innovative toolkit to combat GBV, using a holistic analytical model.
This model was used to provide comprehensive knowledge of violence and measures to address it, based on the ‘7Ps’: prevalence, prevention, protection, prosecution, partnerships, provision of services, and policy. It was also employed to map national policies and legal structures in 33 countries.
The project’s findings were then transformed into specific policy recommendations, customised tools and training to aid stakeholders in addressing GBV.
“One of the many key outcomes is our assessment framework and tool, which serves as a starting point for any institution. The toolkit also provides a roadmap, an action plan and protocol for addressing GBV,” remarks Strid.
UniSAFE’s results have been showcased at events attended by EU policymakers and national authorities, including two notable conferences organised by the Spanish and Czech Presidencies of the Council of the EU, where the toolkit was presented, and the final UniSAFE meeting that brought together all the project’s stakeholders to showcase its results.
Through collaborative efforts and sustained commitment, UniSAFE has set a significant precedent for tackling GBV across Europe.