Gender Politics of Higher Education Participation: Developing Holistic 'Recognition, Response and Recovery' Programmes for Student Victims of Sexual and Domestic Violence

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) constitute a unique environment intersecting participants' work-study, social, and (for many) home lives; this intimate setting is an added dynamic in student sexual and domestic violence incidents. US figures indicate that those of school/college age (16-24 years old) are at the highest risk of being victims and perpetrators of domestic and sexual violence. (Agosín, 2002: 229) Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is tied to the prevalence of sexual violence and rape - current or former partners are the main culprits, followed by acquaintances or friends. 42% of women and 28% of men have suffered unwanted, non-consensual sexual experiences (UNSEs) in Ireland; strangers were perpetrators in just 1 in 5 incidents suffered by females (McGee et al., 2002: 69, 98). A survey of 1,038 TCD students found that 25% of women and 5% of men suffered UNSEs (Healy, 20 January 2015). The incidence of domestic violence increases with income and level of education; young women (20-24 years) are twice as likely to suffer IPV as older women. (CoE 2002: 23). 1 in 3 Irishwomen have experienced IPV; 41% know a victim among family or friends. (EU FRA, 2014) “Title IX” US law prohibits gender-based discrimination in education programs and Section 485(f) of Title IV mandates student development professionals to design and implement sexual assault policy. This research will examine the feasibility of a nation-wide Title IX-type sexual assault programme through in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, including Presidents, Administrative Staff and Student Services, and Students’ Union leaders, focusing on (1) enabling power dynamics particular to the HE setting (2) knowledge and understanding of HEI staff regarding student body perpetrators and victims (3) accessibility and usefulness of HE resources for student victims, and (4) new measures to recognise, name, and counteract these phenomenon.