From Silence to Support? Examining How Five Ontario Universities Represent their GBV Services for International Students

Abstract

This Major Research Paper explores how selected Ontario universities address the unique challenges and experiences of international students concerning gender-based violence (GBV). I begin this project with a literature review to critically analyze existing research on international students’ experiences with GBV in universities through an overview of the current knowledge in this field. I then employ a thematic analysis to evaluate the GBV prevention, education and support strategies outlined in the annual reports and websites of five universities in Ontario. My findings indicate that international students encounter significant barriers when seeking help for GBV, including institutional neglect of international students, a lack of education and support specifically designed for these students, and a host of related problems resulting from their experience of precarity related to citizenship, cultural and linguistic dislocation, and immigration-related vulnerabilities. My analysis suggests these systemic forms of exclusion are rooted in Western-centric, white supremacist ideologies, which enable racial and gender-based violence, and silence international students. Based on these findings, the paper proposes actionable recommendations for enhancing service systems, informing policy development, and guiding future research. Overall, this study addresses a critical gap in the literature by examining the disconnect between university support structures and the needs of international students and it advocates for policy and systemic reforms, underscoring the necessity of intersectional research and institutional accountability to address international students’ vulnerability to GBV.