“We face rape. We face all things”: Understandings of gender-based violence amongst female students at a South African university

Abstract

This study explores how female residence students at a South African university understand and experience gender-based violence. This article examines how women’s identities and social interactions are affected by the presence of gender-based violence in their communities, and specifically the issue of violence in higher education institutions. Social constructionist theory framed this study as it focuses on how these women’s ‘talk’ constructed their understanding of gender-based violence. Unstructured interviews were conducted with 12 female residence students and discourse analysis was used to analyse the interview material. Findings revealed that the fear of becoming a victim of gender-based violence serves to constrict the daily activities of these women. This research maps these ongoing discourses of fear which are present in all aspects of women’s lives. It provides a formal articulation of women’s experiences that are significant but frequently marginalised and normalised, showing the pervasive effects of fear of gender-based violence on identity and social life. The study contributes towards a growing body of knowledge surrounding the impact of gender-based violence at higher education institutions and works towards protecting students.

Keywords: Gender-based violence; South Africa; women; students; higher education; fear