Prevalence and experiences of sexual harassment among Saudi female nursing students: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Female nursing students are at risk of various types of sexual harassment, including physical, emotional, psychological, and visual abuse. This study aims to assess the prevalence and dimensions of sexual harassment experienced by female undergraduate nursing students.

Methods: A cross-sectional quantitative design was employed. A convenient sample of undergraduate nursing students (n = 236) enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program at the selected university was recruited. The Sexual Experiences Questionnaire was administered as an online survey via Google Forms to collect data from February to March 2022. Both descriptive and inferential analyses were conducted to analyze the data.

Results: Among the 236 students, 62.2% reported experiencing harassment at least once. The most prevalent form of sexual harassment identified was unwanted sexual attention, particularly reflected in uncomfortable looks, which affected 41.1% of participants. Several reasons were noted for the failure to report incidents, including fear, lack of knowledge, and feelings of shame. Participants also suggested that educational lessons and awareness campaigns emphasizing the importance of reporting incidents could help reduce the incidence of sexual harassment.

Conclusion: More than half of nursing students reported experiencing sexual harassment during clinical training, highlighting a serious concern. Academic institutions and health policymakers must ensure a safe clinical environment through awareness sessions, clear reporting procedures, and education on legal protections under Saudi law.