Knowledge, Distribution, Dimensions and Barriers in Reporting of Sexual Harassment in Female Medical Students of Public College of Rawalpindi

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to identify different forms of sexual harassment that female medical students face, environment in which it is most prevalent, effects on future career choices, and determine steps to mitigate workplace sexual harassment.
Study Design: Cross sectional study design.
Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at Department of Community Medicine, Rawalpindi
st st Medical University, Rawalpindi from 1 February, 2020 to 1 March, 2020.
Materials and Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive design was used in this study. The target
population of the study was registered female students at Rawalpindi Medical University, with a sample size of
166. Questionnaire was used for data collection and data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social
Sciences (SPSS) Version 23.0 program. The basic ethical principles were observed, and the ethical clearance
certificate was obtained prior to data collection.
Results: According to our study, highest number of respondents were 3rd year students (46), 81% reported that
they have experienced any form of sexual harassment, 42% reported fear of it happening in their personal
context in medical institute, 83% said that it may influence their future career choices. Most frequent form of
sexual harassment they experienced is starring and leering (72%), while most susceptible / vulnerable time is
during night (62%), college transport buses are reported as the most frequent place (15%), conductors and
drivers are the most common perpetrators (24%). In our study, major barrier in low reporting of sexual
harassment is fear of victimization (34%).
Conclusion: This study shows that female students in university are experiencing different forms of sexual
harassment.