Hidden in Plain Sight: Sexual Harassment of LGBTQIA+ in Higher Education
Date: 10 Mar 2025
By Prince Gontse Motaung and Tshegofatso Hazel Tomodi
Sexual harassment remains a significant and pervasive issue within higher education institutions (HEIs), impacting both students and staff in South Africa and the world at large. Despite considerable attention given to addressing this issue, a glaring gap exists in the policies and initiatives aimed at protecting LGBTQIA+ individuals in Higher Education Institutions (HEI). While efforts to combat sexual harassment (SH) have made progress in safeguarding heterosexual students, the experiences of LGBTQIA+ students and staff remain largely overlooked. It is imperative that higher education institutions confront this oversight and place the sexual harassment issues faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals at the forefront of policy reform to ensure that no one is left behind as President Ramaphosa often emphasise the rhetoric.
The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) report for the 2023/2024 financial year draws attention to the ongoing prevalence of sexual harassment in HEIs and highlights the detrimental effects of this scourge on both students and staff. While the study found that SH affects both groups, it also brought attention to the significant challenges faced when staff members are also students, complicating the enforcement of institutional policies. Yet, despite the recognition of SH’s broad impact, there is a conspicuous lack of focus on the specific vulnerabilities of the LGBTQIA+ community.
One of the key findings of the CGE report is that the experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals are too often marginalized in both academic research and institutional strategies. Studies, such as those by Jagath and Hamlall (2024), reveal that LGBTQIA+ students are particularly vulnerable to sexual harassment due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. However, the policies in many institutions fail to adequately address these specific challenges. Often, these policies do not explicitly recognize the unique needs of sexual minorities, which leaves them exposed to harassment in environments that fail to offer sufficient protection or support.
This lack of attention is not only troubling but also dangerous. The invisibility of LGBTQIA+ harassment in existing policies perpetuates the vulnerability of these students, denying them the right to a safe and supportive academic environment. As LGBTQIA+ students are already at higher risk of violence and discrimination, it is critical that their experiences be acknowledged and addressed explicitly in institutional policies. One of the most significant issues highlighted by the CGE report is the widespread misconception that same-sex harassment is either impossible or not serious. This perspective reflects a deeply ingrained, binary understanding of gender and sexuality, which fails to account for the full diversity of experiences. A participant in the CGE study shared a common sentiment expressed by lesbian students: “They don’t take us seriously, especially the lesbian community, as they believe we are both girls, so why would we fight?” Such attitudes perpetuate harmful myths about sexual harassment in same-sex relationships, making it difficult for LGBTQIA+ individuals to be taken seriously when they report harassment.
Moreover, many LGBTQIA+ students remain unaware of the policies in place to protect them from sexual harassment. Despite the existence of university units dedicated to addressing SH, these students often express reluctance to report harassment due to fear of victimization, disbelief, or a lack of trust in the institution’s ability to address their concerns. This hesitancy is compounded by the absence of clear, inclusive policies that explicitly address the needs of sexual minorities. This gap in policy not only undermines the safety of LGBTQIA+ students but also discourages them from seeking the help they need when faced with harassment.
To address these challenges, it is imperative that HEIs take immediate and decisive action. Higher education institutions must revise and strengthen their sexual harassment policies to explicitly include protections for LGBTQIA+ individuals. These policies must be clear, comprehensive, and gender-aware, ensuring that they address the specific needs of sexual minorities and outline how sexual harassment against LGBTQIA+ students and staff will be handled. Failure to implement such reforms will only perpetuate the cycle of silence and vulnerability that currently characterizes the experiences of LGBTQIA+ individuals within higher education.
Furthermore, universities must invest in gender sensitivity and inclusivity training for staff and faculty members, particularly those responsible for handling sexual harassment complaints. Such training will ensure that university personnel are equipped to address the needs of LGBTQIA+ students and staff in a way that is respectful, empathetic, and informed.
In conclusion, it is clear that the experiences of LGBTQIA+ students and staff are an integral part of the broader conversation on sexual harassment in higher education. Higher education institutions must no longer ignore the specific vulnerabilities faced by sexual minorities. To create a truly inclusive and safe environment, universities must develop policies that recognize and address the unique challenges faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals. In doing so, they will not only protect these students from harm but also foster a campus culture that values the dignity and equality of all members, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The time for policy reform is now higher education institutions must act to ensure that every student and staff member can learn and work in an environment free from sexual harassment and discrimination.