Interventions to prevent sexual harassment in universities: an umbrella review of systematic reviews.
9 affiliations
- 1Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, P.Le L.A. Scuro 10, Verona, 37134, Italy. [email protected].
- 2Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, P.Le L.A. Scuro 10, Verona, 37134, Italy.
- 3UO Psichiatria Distretto Nord - Centro Salute Mentale di Trento, Trento, 38122, Italy.
- 4Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, P.Le L.A. Scuro 10, Verona, 37134, Italy.
- 5Link Campus University - Via del Casale Di San Pio, 44, Rome, 00165, Italy.
- 6Center for Interdepartmental Medical Sciences (CISMED), University of Trento, Via S. Maria Maddalena, 1, Trento, 38122, Italy.
- 7Department of Surgical, Odontostomatologic and Maternal-Infantile Sciences, University of Verona, P.Le L.A. Scuro 10, Verona, 37134, Italy.
- 8CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), C. de Melchor Fernández Almagro, 3, Fuencarral-El Pardo, Madrid, 28029, Spain.
- 9Department of Community Nursing,Preventive Medicine and Public Health and History of Science, University of Alicante, Ap. de Correos 99, Alicante, 03080, Spain.
Abstract
Objective
This umbrella review analyzes existing literature on sexual harassment (SH) prevention in universities, including approaches that address SH within broader gender-based violence (GBV) forms. Conducted as part of the Uni4Equity project (CERV-2022-DAPHNE Programme), it aims to identify key trends, limitations and gaps in current prevention strategies.Method
A systematic search of four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycINFO) was conducted to identify relevant systematic reviews evaluating interventions aimed at preventing SH (and related GBV forms) in university settings. Reviews were selected if they (1) demonstrated methodological requirements (e.g., detailed search strategies, pre-registered protocol), (2) were published in English between 2000 and 2024, (3) involved adult populations (students, staff).Results
We identified 17 systematic reviews meeting these criteria, whose methodological quality was rated as "critically low" according to the AMSTAR-2. Notably, none of the included reviews focused specifically on SH, and the available evidence derived from interventions targeting broader forms of GBV. The most consistent results came from bystander intervention programs, which effectively improved knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy, though they had limited impact on actual behavior change. Primary prevention programs addressing sexual and relationship violence had mixed results, while self-defense and risk reduction programs showed limited evidence of effectiveness. Social minorities, including LGBTQ + populations, were notably underrepresented in the studies reviewed.Conclusions
Findings highlight the need for comprehensive, campus-wide strategies that go beyond individual-focused interventions. These strategies should integrate education, policy reforms, awareness campaigns, and staff training. Moreover, they must be inclusive and intersectional, addressing the different layers of gender relations-social, institutional, and interpersonal. Methodological rigor is also essential to develop sustainable and culturally relevant solutions.
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BibTeX
@article{maso2026interventions,
title = {{Interventions to prevent sexual harassment in universities: an umbrella review of systematic reviews.}},
author = {Francesca Dal Maso and Valeria Donisi and Lisa Anegg and Maria Grazia Lourdes Monaco and Giulia Turrini and Michela Nosè and Antonio Lasalvia and Angela Carta and Silvia Ferro and Ottavia Santarelli and Nicoletta Zerman and Vanesa Pérez-Martinez and Carmen Vives-Cases and Stefano Porru and Lidia Del Piccolo},
journal = {BMC public health},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s12889-026-28435-5},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42894178},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Interventions to prevent sexual harassment in universities: an umbrella review of systematic reviews.
AU - Francesca Dal Maso
AU - Valeria Donisi
AU - Lisa Anegg
AU - Maria Grazia Lourdes Monaco
AU - Giulia Turrini
AU - Michela Nosè
AU - Antonio Lasalvia
AU - Angela Carta
AU - Silvia Ferro
AU - Ottavia Santarelli
AU - Nicoletta Zerman
AU - Vanesa Pérez-Martinez
AU - Carmen Vives-Cases
AU - Stefano Porru
AU - Lidia Del Piccolo
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - BMC public health
DO - 10.1186/s12889-026-28435-5
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42894178
AB - Objective This umbrella review analyzes existing literature on sexual harassment (SH) prevention in universities, including approaches that address SH within broader gender-based violence (GBV) forms. Conducted as part of the Uni4Equity project (CERV-2022-DAPHNE Programme), it aims to identify key trends, limitations and gaps in current prevention strategies.Method A systematic search of four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and PsycINFO) was conducted to identify relevant systematic reviews evaluating interventions aimed at preventing SH (and related GBV forms) in university settings. Reviews were selected if they (1) demonstrated methodological requirements (e.g., detailed search strategies, pre-registered protocol), (2) were published in English between 2000 and 2024, (3) involved adult populations (students, staff).Results We identified 17 systematic reviews meeting these criteria, whose methodological quality was rated as "critically low" according to the AMSTAR-2. Notably, none of the included reviews focused specifically on SH, and the available evidence derived from interventions targeting broader forms of GBV. The most consistent results came from bystander intervention programs, which effectively improved knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy, though they had limited impact on actual behavior change. Primary prevention programs addressing sexual and relationship violence had mixed results, while self-defense and risk reduction programs showed limited evidence of effectiveness. Social minorities, including LGBTQ + populations, were notably underrepresented in the studies reviewed.Conclusions Findings highlight the need for comprehensive, campus-wide strategies that go beyond individual-focused interventions. These strategies should integrate education, policy reforms, awareness campaigns, and staff training. Moreover, they must be inclusive and intersectional, addressing the different layers of gender relations-social, institutional, and interpersonal. Methodological rigor is also essential to develop sustainable and culturally relevant solutions.
SN - 1471-2458
ER -