Violence Against Female International Students and the Need for 'Gender Security'

Violence against women has become a pressing global concern that represents significant social and economic cost. According to the World Health Organization, more than a third of women worldwide are victims of physical or sexual violence. While some progress has been made there remains much to be done to increase the understanding and amelioration of this vast social problem. Within this context, females make up approximately half of the estimated 3.6 million international students undertaking tertiary education in a host country. Previous research has addressed issues of safety and security for international students generally with only passing mention of gender-related concerns. This paper explores the problem of gender-based violence against female international students in their host country and the pressing need for ‘gender security’. Focusing on the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, the paper draws on empirical research involving 146 in-depth interviews with international students and other key informers who work closely with international students. The paper presents knowledge about stalking, rape, assault and domestic violence against female international students. The study also presents ideas about education and response programs that address the issue of gender security. The study uses an intersectional analysis and a claim for human rights to argue for an expansion of preventative and response programs relating to violence against female international students. Findings indicate that female international students are far more likely to be victims of violence than male international students. It is also suggested that low reporting of gender-based violence is exacerbated within the international student cohort. The findings of this paper will be of value to female international students and their families, wider communities including in particular women from diverse backgrounds, practitioners and scholars concerned with the issue of violence against women, the international education sector, and host education institutions and nations.