An Assessment into the Importance of Access to Healthcare Facilities by Victims of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide in Higher Education Institutions, South Africa

Abstract

Gender-based violence and femicide is a significant public health issue that affects one in three students globally and a similarly large number of students in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Healthcare facilities are important to provide continuous and comprehensive care to all victims of crime. Important policy and programmic steps have been taken to address violence against students in South Africa (SA) over the past decade. However, there is still a gap on GBVF research in SA, particularly with regard to social norms. This article aims to promulgate the importance of healthcare facilities in the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), a HEI in SA. The research methodology employed was an exploratory qualitative method design in six campuses of TUT. These campuses are based in the follwoing provinces - Gauteng, Limpopo, Kwazulu-Natal, Westen Cape and Mpumalanga. The collected data was complemented by twelve in-depth interviews with participants which comprised of campus residential administrators, the Directorate of Health and Wellness, and Student Development Services. Non-probability sampling was used and data were obtained using semi-structured face-to-face interviews for this research. The main research results show that the majority of campus community members are not aware of the services rendered for victims of GBVF in healthcare facilities. The findings further display a concerning practice of not having healthcare facilities at all TUT campuses and this then highlights the lack of access into such centres by victims of GBVF.