This article investigates university students’ experiences and perceptions of crime within the campus environment, focusing on the University of Venda (UNIVEN). Despite ongoing efforts by university authorities to review and enhance safety measures to maintain institutional integrity and ensure that campuses are secure and conducive spaces for learning, living, teaching, and research, higher education institutions continue to grapple with significant security challenges. Employing a qualitative research approach, the study draws on in-depth interviews with a purposive sample of thirty (30) students to gain nuanced insights into their encounters with and attitudes towards campus crime. The findings reveal that, notwithstanding the presence of formal security structures, crime persists and, in some cases, has become more prevalent due to inadequate safety protocols, poorly maintained infrastructure, and malfunctioning security systems. Students reported a range of criminal incidents, including theft, assault, and vandalism, which have contributed to a pervasive sense of insecurity on campus. The study further highlights the gap between policy intentions and practical implementation, underscoring the need for more robust, student-centred safety interventions. The implications of these findings are discussed regarding the effective management of safety and security in universities, with recommendations for policy reform and the adoption of more comprehensive and responsive security strategies to protect students and staff.
Bello et al. (Thu,) studied this question.