Factors affecting perceptions of Zimbabwean higher education students towards acquaintance rape

Abstract

This study assessed factors affecting perceptions of Zimbabwean higher education students towards acquaintance rape in Masvingo Province. The study serves as a precursor to unearth a hidden crime (acquaintance rape) which is quite rampant in institutions of higher education in Masvingo Province and the world over. The researcher used a positivist paradigm and mixed methods research approach. The descriptive survey design was also employed in the study. To collect data from participants, a self-constructed questionnaire was used. The demographic data for this study consisted of all students randomly chosen from three institutions of higher education in Masvingo Province. The sample for this study was 63 participants made up of 3 principals (1 male and 2 females), 3 vice principals (1 male and 2 females), 3 hostel wardens (1 male and 2 females), 3 assistant hostel wardens (1 male and 2 females), 3 disciplinary chairpersons (1 male 2 females), 3 nursing sisters (1 male and 2 females) and 45 students (12 males and 33 females) in higher education institutions in Masvingo Province of Zimbabwe. Qualitative data was descriptively analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, Version 16.0. The calculated Chi-Square tests were also computed. Frequency tables were constructed to indicate the relative rating of each research item. The study revealed that culture, gender, peer pressure and policy as well as legislation or law affect higher education students’ perceptions of acquaintance rape. Students’ interaction and socialisation are based on their perceptions of cultural practices, peer pressure, gender stereotypes or law which are the main reasons why they have negative views on acquaintance rape. The study also established that college authorities, non-academic staff and students have inadequate knowledge on how to effectively manage or deal with acquaintance rape cases due to lack of policies, legislations or laws governing students’ behaviour in higher education. A model to reduce acquaintance rape was proposed. The study recommended that all institutions of higher education in Masvingo Province should introduce acquaintance rape prevention and reduction programmes, peer education programmes, and acquaintance rape awareness campaigns in the curriculum.