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Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is a critical issue in South African universities, affecting students' access to safe and quality education. Despite universities’ reputations for inclusivity, societal expectations have made them less welcoming, and GBV cases continue to rise with insufficient policy enforcement. This study was motivated by the rising cases of GBV in South African universities. Drawing on social norms’ theory, the study aimed to identify the drivers, effects, and potential mitigation strategies for addressing GBV. The goal was to build a stronger basis for improving policies and creating safer, more inclusive university environments. A qualitative approach was used to gather secondary data from various sources, including journal articles, books, government documents, and news reports. The literature revealed that GBV in South African and other universities has sparked frequent protests centred on issues of sexual, physical, and emotional violence. Moreover, it was also highlighted that many students refrained from reporting GBV incidents due to concerns about stigma and the impact on their careers, with victims often facing anxiety, depression, and physical symptoms, which further impeded their participation in university life and restricted their educational opportunities. This study concluded that GBV restricted students' access to quality education and, if unaddressed, might lead to declining university enrolment. Thus, it recommended collaboration between universities, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and families to tackle GBV and called for a review of policies to improve enforcement and provide better protection for students.  

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a widespread issue that impacts individuals across diverse demographics. Gender-based violence against the LGBTQ+ student community represents a significant issue encompassing various forms of abuse, discrimination, and harassment. The inadequate inclusive support systems designed to effectively address the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals hinder the resolution of gender-based violence in educational institutions. Students from the LGBTQ+ community experience physical violence, cyberbullying, and both verbal and psychological abuse in educational environments. Individuals may experience unstable mental health, diminished academic performance, and social isolation. This study investigates the distinct challenges encountered by LGBTQ+ students in educational environments, focussing on issues related to reporting, the inaccessibility of support services, and discrimination within legal and social frameworks. The study employed a qualitative research approach to gain an in-depth understanding of the phenomenon. Subsequently, comprehensive desktop research was conducted, consulting scholarly articles to gather information on the phenomena. The study employed thematic data analysis to develop themes that enhanced the discussion. This study utilised resilience theory to examine the positive coping mechanisms employed by students confronting gender-based violence in educational environments. This study contributes to the literature by offering evidence-based recommendations for developing inclusive policies and support systems, while also identifying gaps in current research to guide future interventions.