Women in situations of sexual violence in the university environment: a discovery through sensitive listening

Abstract

The article discusses sexual violence against women in the university environment, highlighting how academia reproduces patriarchal structures that favor practices of harassment and silencing. The research, with a qualitative and exploratory approach, was conducted at the Federal University of Tocantins (Palmas Campus) through semi-structured interviews with women who experienced sexual violence, analyzed using Bardin’s methodology. Four main categories emerged: experiences of harassment and violence; emotional feelings and impacts; coping strategies; and institutionality and silencing. The findings reveal that violence takes multiple forms and generates feelings of fear, guilt, shame, and revictimization. The study also identified the absence of effective institutional support, difficulties in reporting, and the prevalence of a culture of silence. It is concluded that addressing sexual violence in universities requires effective institutional policies, professional training, and integrated actions aimed at building safe, inclusive, and equitable academic environments.