What is gender-based violence?
Gender based violence is an issue that our universities and colleges are concerned about. Research suggests that as many as 1 in 4 female students experience unwanted sexual behaviour during their studies. Colleges and universities are working to prevent gender based violence and we want to encourage people to make disclosures and ensure they receive the support they want.
By ‘gender based violence’ we mean a spectrum of behaviour that starts with objectification and unwanted comments and includes intimidation, harassment, domestic abuse, physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault, rape and murder. The term also includes commercial sexual exploitation and so called 'honour-based' violence, including female genital mutilation, forced marriages and 'honour' crimes.
Scotland uses the term gender based violence because women and girls are much more likely to experience it as a result of continued inequality in our society. However, the term is not exclusive of other people. It does recognise that men and the LGBTQIA+ community can be victims too.