Sexualized violence and discrimination are predominantly a taboo and often underestimated problems in all areas of society. The university as a place of work and education is a social space - social problems and taboo topics are also reflected here. Studies have shown that universities are particularly vulnerable. This is due in part to the high degree of anonymity and the spatial conditions, but can also be traced back to the dependency relationships and hierarchical structures that exist in educational situations.
Studies show: 54% of all female students are sexually harassed during their studies, at the same time 46% of the students affected by sexualized violence do not tell anyone about it (1). A recent study by the pan-European UniSAFE project finds that 62% of students and staff surveyed at 46 European universities have experienced at least one form of gender-based violence since they began working or studying at their institution (2). Psychological violence and sexual harassment are particularly present. Only 13% of those who experienced sexual violence according to the UniSAFE study reported it (2).
The TU Braunschweig addresses this situation and launches KNOW MORE, a campaign that addresses sexualized violence in the context of higher education and advocates for a safe analog and digital campus.
(1) Source: Feltes et al. (2012): Gender-based Violence, Stalking and Fear of Crime. Country Report Germany. EU-Project 2009-2011. p. 18; 31ff.
(2) Soruce: UniSAFE Ending Gender-Based Violence (2022): https://unisafe-gbv.eu/
The campaign was initiated by students from the Autonomous Women's and Lesbian Affairs Department and the Green Office, as well as by staff members of the Equal Opportunities Office. We are happy about the cooperation with sichtbar. Fachzentrum gegen sexualisierter Gewalt e.V. and the active support of the campaign by the president of the TU Braunschweig, Prof. Dr. Angela Ittel.
KNOW MORE is supported by the Stiftung Braunschweiger Kulturbesitz, the Stiftung Braunschweiger Land and the Braunschweiger Hochschulbund e.V..