Sexual harassment at a growing rural University in Eastern Cape, South Africa

Abstract

Sexual harassment is not a new phenomenon, yet it remains a burning issue in institutions of higher learning: continually grabbing the attention of researchers and the media. This study was triggered by a notice on the university noticeboards informing both staff and students to report any incident related to "marks for sex or sex for marks". The study investigated the occurrence of sexual harassment and its impact on the academic system. The study was informed by the exchange theory. The paper adopted a qualitative approach and a case study design. The convenient sampling technique was utilised to choose thirty participants- lecturers and students. Interviews were used to collect data. Data were thematically analysed. The study established that female students were harassing male lecturers and that sexual harassment was rife. The university should come up with a sexual harassment policy and orientate the university community about the dangers and effects of sexual harassment.