Over 16% of students face sexual harassment at universities, new study reveals

22 March 2022 07:49 am - 12 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A new study on the prevalence of ragging and Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) in Sri Lankan State universities has revealed 16.6 percent of students at state universities are subjected to sexual harassment.

The study has been initiated by the Centre for Gender Equity and Equality of the University Grants Commission (UGC), in partnership with UNICEF, the study covered a cross-section of universities: old and new universities, and those situated in previously conflict-affected areas.

“In the recent past there has been a growing concern on the prevalence of ragging and SGBV in State Universities in Sri Lanka”, said, Senior Professor Sampath Amaratunge, Chairman, the University Grants Commission.

According to the study, over 51% of the students surveyed had been subjected to verbal harassment, 34.3% to psychological violence, 23.8% to physical abuse, and 16.6% to sexual harassment, as a result of ragging. Both academic and nonacademic staff indicated the presence of SGBV although almost all incidents were reported only from one university.

The report also reveals that 44% of university staff had been subjected to verbal sexual violence, 22.3% requested sexual bribes and 19.9% had experienced physical sexual violence. among students in public sector universities, 21% reported having been subjected to verbal sexual violence and 1.5% forced into sex.

Although ragging is often perceived as occurring only in the first year, the study has indicated that the harassment does not end when students complete their first year “induction”.

Meanwhile, the UGC, which oversees all higher educational institutions in Sri Lanka, has recently put in place additional regulations aimed at preventing harassment of students by their seniors.

Accordingly, the university authorities are now required to report such incidents to the police, and those found guilty of the offenses are liable to lengthy imprisonment, expulsion from the institution of higher education, and payment for damages suffered by the victim. An additional stipulation is that all students pledge in writing that they will not engage in harassment of the new entrants. (Sheain Fernandopulle)

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Comments - 12

Aram Tuesday, 22 March 2022 08:19 AM

Following White people culture is a shame on SriLankan students

Anthare Manthare Tuesday, 22 March 2022 08:54 AM

Please don't reveal any of these incidents in public. Anthare will be upset.

Citizen k Tuesday, 22 March 2022 09:04 AM

Finally getting the act together and please implement it without favours.

Jude Tuesday, 22 March 2022 09:06 AM

ගොඩාක් අසහනකාරයෝ ඉන්නවා හේතුව මේ අය cell phone එකෙන් දකින බලන ඒවා මනස විකෘති කිරීම නිසා!! ඔව්!!

Arnold Tuesday, 22 March 2022 09:39 AM

Why cant they outlaw the barbaric practice of ragging? Only thing it does is turn good kids into demons.

Kiri putha Tuesday, 22 March 2022 09:52 AM

Hope government will take strong actions to stop this stupid activities of narrow minded youngers. Really they are psychiatric patients

victim Tuesday, 22 March 2022 10:45 AM

So what's the action taken ?

Johan Tuesday, 22 March 2022 11:06 AM

22,3% requested sexual bribes?.. That is way to high.. Looks like Basil os universitu staff.. Mostly from student??

Anne Karunaratne Tuesday, 22 March 2022 02:03 PM

Frustrated young generation we have!! No laws whatsoever to punish the culprits. Get everyone to pay something towards university education and these things can be controlled to a limit..

Si Tuesday, 22 March 2022 06:53 PM

Sri Lanka Universoty system is one of the disgusing thing to shame of..

UniDon Wednesday, 23 March 2022 08:36 AM

Good news to justify keeping the universities close.

GHT Thursday, 24 March 2022 01:06 AM

As we are aware, that the Universities are known as an institution that approved to operate as BROTHEL by the govt.

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Over 16% of students face sexual harassment at universities, new study reveals

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