Building Resilient Campuses: A Blueprint in Proposing Safe Spaces to Address Sexual Grooming in Academia

Junry G. Tianzon; Zenaida  Villacete; Leany  Barasi; Janalyn  Salvador; Hernando L.  Bernal Jr.

doi:10.47175/rissj.v5i2.965

Junry G. Tianzon Department of Mass Communication, Edo State University, Uzairue, Edo State, Nigeria
Zenaida Villacete Department of Mass Communication, Edo State University, Uzairue, Edo State, Nigeria
Leany Barasi Department of Mass Communication, Edo State University, Uzairue, Edo State, Nigeria
Janalyn Salvador Department of Mass Communication, Edo State University, Uzairue, Edo State, Nigeria
Hernando L. Bernal Jr. Department of Mass Communication, Edo State University, Uzairue, Edo State, Nigeria

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47175/rissj.v5i2.965

Keywords: grooming, groomers, groomed, sexual grooming, academe, awareness campaign

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The study delves into the intricate matter of sexual grooming in academic settings and proposes a comprehensive approach to intervention and prevention. Using qualitative approaches, this study assesses the prevalence of grooming incidents, identifies recurrent themes, and investigates the repercussions on victims and educational communities. Along with providing research-based recommendations for curriculum developers, school administrators, and other interested parties, the study also critically evaluates present methods. This study aims to provide useful guidance for establishing a secure and supportive learning environment for all involved. The results of this study indicate that the respondents were not very aware of the risks associated with sexual grooming. This can lead to negative outcomes such as manipulating, exploiting, and abusing children and young people when someone establishes a relationship and gain their trust. Due to the fact that many students especially women prefer older guys, sexual grooming is becoming increasingly common in academic settings. First of all, they consider them to be more relationship-savvy, especially those who are employed or have enough money, they feel as though they are protected and can somehow care for their needs—funds taken from their stipends. Younger partners believe that because the elder partner is more experienced, s/he can mentor and teach them in a variety of areas. From the perspective of the more senior person in the relationship, they prefer dating a younger partner since they perceive themselves as the dominant party. Additionally, they think that making the "right decisions" and knowing them may improve their relationship.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Bull, A., & Page, T. (2021). Students’ accounts of grooming and boundary-blurring behaviours by academic staff in UK higher education. Gender and Education, 33(8), 1057–1072. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540253.2021.1884199 .

Bonanno, G. A., & Mancini, A. D. (2012). Beyond Resilience and PTSD: Mapping the Heterogeneity of Responses to Potential Trauma. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 4, 74-83.

Bonanno, G. A., & Mancini, A. D. (2011). Toward a lifespan approach to resilience and potential trauma. Resilience and Mental Health: Challenges Across the Lifespan. 120-134. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511994791.010 .

Clark, I. (2014). Equitable learning outcomes: Supporting economically and culturally disadvantaged students in ‘formative learning environments’. Improving Schools, 17(1), 116-126.

Collishaw, S., Pickles, A., Messer, J., Rutter, M., Shearer, C., & Maughan, B. (2007). Resilience to adult psychopathology following childhood maltreatment: Evidence from a community sample. Child Abuse & Neglect, 31(3), 211–229.

Dekker, R., Contreras, J. F., & Meijer, A. (2019). The Living Lab as a Methodology for Public Administration Research a Systematic Literature Review of its Applications in the Social Sciences. International Journal of Public Administration. 43. 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1080/01900692.2019.1668410

Harper, K., Stalker, C., Palmer, S., & Gadbois, S. (2005). Experiences of adults abused as children after discharge from inpatient treatment: Informal social support and self-care practices related to trauma recovery. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 86(2), 217-225.

Harvey, M. (1996). An ecological view of psychological trauma and trauma recovery. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 9(1), 3-23.

Jordan, L. (2009). Relational trauma. In R. Woolfe, W. Dryden, S. Stawbridge, & B. Douglas (Eds.), Handbook of Counselling Psychology, (pp. 235-256). London: Sage.

Kia-Keating, M., Sorsoli, L., & Grossman, F. (2010). Relational challenges and recovery processes in male survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 25(4), 666-683. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1177/0886260509334411

Kirk, C. M., Lewis, R. K., Brown, K., Karibo, B., Angela, S., & Park, E. (2015). The empowering schools project: Identifying the classroom and school characteristics that lead to student empowerment. Youth & Society, 1-21. https://doi.org/10.1177/0044118X14566118

Malesky, L.A., Peters, C. (2012). Defining appropriate professional behavior for faculty and university students on social networking websites. High Educ 63, 135–151 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-011-9451-x

Maton, K. I. (2008). Empowering Community Settings: Agents of Individual Development, Community Betterment, and Positive Social Change. Am J Community Psychol 41, 4–21 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10464-007-9148-6

Pollack et., et. al (2015). Understanding sexual gromming in child abuse practice vol. 34 https://www.americanbar.org/groups/public_interest/child_law/resources/child_law_practiceonline/child_law_practice/vol-34/november-2015/understanding-sexual-grooming-in-c hild-abuse-cases/byDanielPollackandAndrea MacIver

SurvivorsUK. (2020). Common Feelings & Effects That Survivors Experience. SurvivorsUK. https://www.survivorsuk.org/resource_articles/common-feelings-effects-that-survivors-experience/

Tremblay, C., Hébert, M., & Piché, C. (1999). Coping strategies and social support as mediators of consequences in child sexual abuse victims. Child Abuse & Neglect, 23(9), 929–945. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0145-2134(99)00056-3