Academic Harassment and Abuse of Power in University Students: Barriers to Reporting and Institutional Support

Nelson Aníbal Pérez Villarroel; Juan Tarquino Calderón Cisneros; Jessenia María Tite López · International Journal of Drug Delivery Technology (2026) · DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.17s.71

Resumen

This study analyzes the phenomenon of academic harassment and abuse of power within the university environment, with particular attention to the barriers students face when reporting such situations and the role played by higher education institutions in the prevention and management of these cases. The research adopts a qualitative approach and a documentary research design based on the review of recent scientific literature published between 2018 and 2025, including approximately thirty academic articles mainly from journals indexed in international databases. Through content analysis, key categories were identified related to manifestations of academic harassment, power dynamics present in relationships between faculty members and students, as well as institutional and cultural factors influencing students’ decisions to report such situations. The findings indicate that academic harassment may manifest through public humiliation, undue pressure, or the inappropriate use of academic authority, situations that negatively affect students’ well-being and their trust in university institutions. However, the study also highlights the importance of distinguishing these practices from legitimate academic rigor, which is an essential characteristic of higher education and contributes to the development of critical thinking and the training of highly qualified professionals. Furthermore, research conducted in Latin America has identified the persistence of discriminatory practices related to racial or cultural factors affecting Afro-descendant and Indigenous students, which has encouraged the implementation of inclusion policies and academic support programs across several university systems in the region. In this context, the study emphasizes the need to strengthen institutional policies aimed at preventing abuse of power, promoting academic ethics, and implementing transparency and accountability mechanisms that contribute to the development of university environments based on respect, integrity, and academic excellence.

Instituciones: Universidad César Vallejo