Sexual harassment in academic spaces: impact and challenges in universities.

Abstract

The study aimed to determine the causes and effects of sexual harassment in universities, spaces that should be safe for their students, and to propose priority actions to counteract it. Using a mixed methodology, surveys were conducted and testimonies were collected from students at Ecuadorian universities. The surveys assessed the perception and consequences of harassment with testimonies about the victims' experiences. The results showed that sexual harassment is a common problem in the university environment, seriously affecting the emotional and academic well-being of victims. A worrying normalization of inappropriate behavior was observed, which made reporting difficult and contributed to an environment of fear and mistrust. The study concluded that universities do not have adequate policies to address this situation.