Abstract
Sexual violence is a common human rights violation among campus students. Students within the university, faculty committees, and members of staff are not only involved in sexual violence, but also in addressing its causes. This thesis describes sexual violence victimization and perpetration awareness, its relationship with human right and punitive measures accorded to it in a sample of 150-university students. A cross sectional survey design was used to contact students through voluntary gatherings. Eighty-four percent of the sample i.e. (n=126) were between the ages of 18-24. A gendered sample of 54.7% (n=82) and 45.3 % (n=68) of females and males respectively, was selected. Categorically a 66.7% (n=100) sample of third year students was selected compared to the 16.7% (n=25) and 16.7 %( n=25) of the second and first year students respectively. Five key informants were interviewed due to their expertise in the field of sexual violence. The study found out that most common occurrences of sexual violent acts at Makerere were; sexual bullying, coercive sex and rape, unsolicited physical contacts and unwanted kisses and assaults, and insecurity among undergraduate students. It also revealed that a 36% (n=54) of the respondents did not know anything about the policy and procedure of the university on sexual violence. Criminal law was identified as a very important instrument in preventing and punishing sexual violence, but it is unreliable when it comes to implementation. The study continually revealed that there is a significant relationship between human rights norms and sexual violent acts. Social deviations like; moral decay, indecent dress code, poverty and greed for money, and drug abuse have led to justifiability of sexual violence. A very important human rights prerequisite known as presumption of innocence is respected to a varying degree when handling suspects of violence attached to sexual acts. There is an overwhelming agreement by respondents that Uganda has not fulfilled its mandate in addressing matters of sexual violence. The study recommends the need to increase sensitisation and awareness on sexual violence institutionally among students at Makerere University, the need for the government of Uganda to invoke state obligation to prosecute perpetrators of sexual violence as per Articles 2 and 3,of CEDAW. This study points to the need to increase sensitisation and awareness of sexual violence, imperativeness of presumption of innocence in relation to article 17(1) of the Makerere Sexual Harassment policy, and the need to allocate more funds to the prevention and punishment of sexual violence by the government and the universities. Introduction of a situational approach to sexual violence, building-based intervention (e.g., use of building-based restraining orders) is also needed. This will confront the silence, of unwanted sexual experiences and help move campuses toward an adequate response. And conclusively, justifications of violence against victims which is referred to as 'victim blaming' should be dealt with in further research as a preventive measure to escalation rather than de-escalation of sexual violence in university campuses.