Female University Students' Perceptions of Verbal Sexual Harassment from the Perspective of Islamic Law

Abstract

Verbal sexual harassment is one of the forms of sexual violence that frequently occurs in academic environments and digital spaces; however, it is still often perceived as merely a joke, resulting in a lack of serious attention. This condition causes some victims to hesitate to disclose their experiences because they feel ashamed, afraid, or consider such behavior to be normal. This study aims to analyze female students’ perceptions of verbal sexual harassment, identify the forms of sexual harassment that occur, and examine this phenomenon from the perspective of Islamic law. This research employs a descriptive qualitative method with a normative approach. Data were obtained through interviews, questionnaires, respondents’ experiences, and secondary sources in the form of the Qur’an, books, and scientific journals. The results indicate that the majority of female students perceive verbal sexual harassment as an act that degrades dignity, causes discomfort, and negatively affects the psychological condition of victims. The study also finds that sexual harassment does not only occur in verbal forms but also includes non-verbal harassment, physical harassment, and sexual harassment through digital media. From the perspective of Islamic law, such actions contradict the principle of Hifẓ al-‘Irdh (protection of human honor and dignity) and the objectives of Maqāṣid al-Syarī‘ah, particularly al-Ḍarūriyyāt al-Khams, as they threaten the protection of honor, life, intellect, lineage, and property. Therefore, strengthening communication ethics education and internalizing Islamic values are necessary to create a safe, respectful, and dignified environment.