Rationale for Research

Question

This research is significant because it can help shape intervention and policy initiatives that are specifically suited for university settings. A survey conducted by the South African Medical Research Council of 1,272 students at historically underprivileged institutions and technical and vocational schools and institutions of higher learning revealed that at least 20% of female students had experienced sexual violence within the previous year (News24, 2023). Previous studies have revealed various underlying causes of GBV reported in South African universities. This includes the University of the Free State (UFS), where violent episodes have sparked worries about the security of students and the actions of the university. Although privacy issues may prevent some online cases from being publicly disclosed, UFS has come under fire for how it has handled GBV situations. Notably, after social media campaigns exposing incidents of sexual assault on campuses surfaced in 2016, protests broke out at a number of colleges, including UFS. Due to these incidents, there has been a rise in awareness and demands for responsibility from university administrations. The KovsiesCare campaign was created in response to the urgent need for greater awareness of GBV and proactive steps against it on all three UFS campuses. This initiative's main goal is to inform, educate, and provide resources to students so they can learn about gender-based violence (GBV) and other types of violence that marginalized student communities such as people with disabilities, LGBTQQIAAPD+ individuals, and people of diverse gender identities, frequently experience. Concerns concerning the security of students and institutional response to GBV cases have prompted the KovsiesCare effort (KovsiesCare, 2023). However, little research has been done with a specific focus on South African universities. The study intends to close a significant gap in the literature and give stakeholders useful insights by identifying these characteristics.
rewrite the above in a totally different way( change it) but keep the context and include different references

Answer 1

Importance of the Research

This research holds considerable importance as it aims to inform intervention strategies and policy frameworks tailored to the unique contexts of university environments. According to a recent survey by the South African Medical Research Council involving 1,272 students from historically disadvantaged institutions and vocational schools, a troubling statistic emerged: approximately 20% of female students reported experiencing sexual violence within the past year (South Africa Medical Journal, 2023). Previous investigations have highlighted various factors contributing to gender-based violence (GBV) across South African universities. For instance, the University of the Free State (UFS) has been a focal point of concern, as incidents of violence have raised alarms about student safety and the university's response mechanisms.

The handling of GBV cases at UFS has faced criticism, particularly following social media campaigns that brought numerous sexual assault incidents to light beginning in 2016. This led to protests across several higher education institutions, including UFS, illustrating a rising tide of awareness and demand for accountability from university leadership. In response to these pressing concerns, the KovsiesCare initiative was launched, aimed at enhancing awareness around GBV and instigating proactive measures across all three UFS campuses. The initiative focuses on informing and educating students about GBV and other forms of violence, particularly those affecting marginalized groups such as individuals with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ communities, and those with diverse gender identities (KovsiesCare Initiative, 2023).

Despite the emergence of such initiatives, there remains a notable lack of focused research addressing GBV within South African universities. This study seeks to fill this critical gap in the literature, providing meaningful insights that will be valuable for stakeholders engaged in addressing these pressing issues.