Published
by Just-Web Research Institute [10th June, 2019]
PREVENTING SEXUAL
HARASSMENT/ASSAULT IN NIGERIA
1Deedenwii, Bariture Neele and 2 Turakpe, L. Hommel
+2347012543482
and +2349050517580
Abstract
Sexual harassment/assault occurs commonly
worldwide and is particularly pervasive in the developing world. The background
to sexual violence is important in the understanding of the ramifications of
the problem. Some elements that offer the means to the prevention of sexual
harassment/assault in the community are important highlights especially where
the means expertise and facilities for managing cases of sexual
harassment/assault is grossly inadequate. These concepts, though are applicable
universally, are however discussed in the context of the developing world and
with particular emphasis on the Nigerian situation. Their applicability in
sexual harassment/assault prevention is derived from previous studies in
different parts of the world that highlight the viability of these
interventions. Therefore if one posits that sexual harassment/assault can be
prevented, certain responsibilities are imperative; some challenges must be
anticipated; and special needs/circumstances should be catered for.
INTRODUCTION
Sexual violence is a common phenomenon and
occurs worldwide. Data available suggests that in some countries one in five
women report sexual violence by an intimate partner and up to a third of girls
report forced sexual initiation. Sexual assault or harassment encompasses
a range of acts, including coerced sex in marriage and dating relationships,
rape by strangers, organized rape in war, sexual harassment (including demands
of sex for jobs or school grades), and rape of children, trafficking of women
and girls, female genital mutilation, and forced exposure to pornography.
It is important to understand the ramifications of sexual assault or
harassment, as not only a physical act, but also could be verbal or visual
sexual abuse or any act that forces a person to join in unwanted sexual contact
or attention. Sexual assault is also not discriminatory to sex; both males and
females are affected but studies have shown that the number of female sexual
assault victims (and assault perpetrated by males) is far greater than male
victims. Studies have also documented female offenders of sexual assault whose
victims may be of male or female gender including children, adolescents and
adults; the motivation for the female offender being the same as that of their
male counterparts: power and control. It could be that “disbelief”
attitude by the society and even of health professionals to the occurrence of
male sexual assault and the unlikelihood of the male victims themselves to
disclose sexual abuse make the subject and research into male sexual assault to
lag behind that of the female.
MEANING OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Sexual harassment includes
unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or
physical harassment of a sexual nature in the workplace or learning
environment, according to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Sexual harassment does not always have to be specifically about sexual behavior
or directed at a specific person. For example, negative comments about women as
a group may be a form of sexual harassment. Although sexual harassment laws do
not usually cover teasing or offhand comments, these behaviors can also be
upsetting and have a negative emotional effect.
Sexual harassment includes a range of actions
from mild transgressions to sexual abuse or sexual assault. Harassment can occur in many different
social settings such as the workplace, the home, school, churches, etc.
Harassers or victims may be of any gender.
In most modern legal contexts, sexual
harassment is illegal. Laws surrounding sexual harassment generally do not
prohibit simple teasing, offhand comments, or minor isolated incidents that are
due to the fact that they do not impose a "general civility code". In
the workplace, harassment may be considered illegal when it is frequent or
severe thereby creating a hostile or offensive work environment or when it
results in an adverse employment decision (such as the victim's demotion,
firing or quitting). The legal and social understanding of sexual harassment,
however, varies by culture.
Sexual harassment by an employer is a form of
illegal employment
discrimination. For
many businesses or organizations, preventing sexual harassment and defending
employees from sexual harassment charges have become key goals of legal
decision-making.
CONCEPT
OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Sexual harassment is
defined as an, unwelcome and unreciprocated sexual overture from a person to
elicit unwanted sexual relations from another person. This includes any
inappropriate sexual overture from a person to elicit unwanted sexual relations
from another person. This includes any inappropriate sexual overture, subtle
and unsubtle persistent behaviour, assault and actual sexual abuse that may be
expressed physically, verbally or non-verbally usually from someone with a high
power or at advantage position to a less privileged person (taiwo, Omole and
Omole, 2014). They went further to say that sexual harassment in schools that
makes you feel uncomfortable fearful or powerless and interferes with your
school work.
In the view, sexual
harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours
or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Submission to such
conduct was made:
1.
Either explicitly or implicitly a term
or conduct of an individual’s employment.
2.
Submission to or rejection of such
conduct by an individual was used of basis for employment decisions affecting
such individuals.
3.
Such conduct has the
purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work
performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working
environment. Mr. A and B are called “Smoothing for something” while C is called
the hostile work environment.
WHAT
DOES SEXUAL HARASSMENT LOOK LIKE?
Sexual harassment can occur
in a variety of circumstances. The harasser can identify with any gender and
have any relationship to the victim, including being a direct manager, indirect
supervisor, coworker, teacher, peer, or colleague.
Some forms of sexual
harassment include:
·
Making
conditions of employment or advancement dependent on sexual favors, either
explicitly or implicitly.
·
Physical
acts of sexual assault.
·
Requests
for sexual favors.
·
Verbal
harassment of a sexual nature, including jokes referring to sexual acts or
sexual orientation.
·
Unwanted
touching or physical contact.
·
Unwelcome
sexual advances.
·
Discussing
sexual relations/stories/fantasies at work, school, or in other inappropriate
places.
·
Feeling
pressured to engage with someone sexually.
·
Exposing
oneself or performing sexual acts on oneself.
·
Unwanted
sexually explicit photos, emails, or text messages.
TOPOLOGIES
(TYPES) OF SEXUAL HARASSMENTS
There are various types
of sexual harassments in higher institutions, some are been highlighted by
Wariboko (n.d) which includes;
1.
One-of-the-Gang:
These situations exist where a group of men or women embarrasses people with
some corrupt comments, physical evaluations, or other unnecessary or unwanted
sexual intention. Sexual harassments may act individually in order to impress
the others or a group of persons many gang up on a particular target.
2.
Punishment
or Bully: This is a situation whereby the sexual harasser
would punish his victim for even a minor transgression for refusing sexual
advances or make his victim to feel insecure about his or her abilities. The
bully uses sexual harassment to put his victim in his or her proper place.
3.
Great
Gallant: This type of sexual harassment involves excessive
verbal compliments and personal comments in favour of the victim mostly about
her appearance and gender. These comments accompany with leering looks.
4.
Confident:
The harassers could approach their subordinates as if they are equals or as
friends and try to share with them their life experiences, stores and
difficulties. The focus is to win admiration and sympathy and equally tell them
to share their own life experiences to make them fell valued and trusted. Soon
these interactions move into a sexual relationship.
5.
Intellectual
Seducer: These sexual harassers are commonly located in
educational institutions; they can make use of their knowledge and skills from
their disciplines avenues to gain access to students or information about
students; for sexual purpose.
6.
Pest:
This type of sexual harassment does not relent his or her effort and energy
even where the victim says not to sexual advances. This behaviour is usually
misguided with no malicious intent.
7.
Unintentional:
Some act of a sexual nature that was never intended to harass anybody can
constitute sexual harassment if another person feels uncomfortable with those
comments.
8.
Situational
Harasser: Those who face stressful life situations such as
psychological problems, medical problems, marital problems or divorce are
sexual harassers. The harassment will usually stop when the situation changes
or the pressures are removed.
9.
Opportunist:
The
sexual harassers usually take advantage of the physical settings and
circumstance of time or infrequently occurring opportunities. Example, male and
female tenants could live within the sae flats and partly due to transfers from
the places of work, when an opportunity offers itself again and they come into
contact in a conducive environment, the male sexual harasser could strike.
10.
Stalking:
This
involves persistent watching, following, making contacts or observing of an
individual, sometimes motivated by love or by sexual obsession or by anger and
hostility.
11.
Social
harassers: These are harassers who carefully build up a very
good image before the public view and no one would ever imagine that they are
sexual harassers. The persons pretend a lot and strikes carefully in private
and conducive environment.
12.
Power
player: Here a person in a position of responsibility
capable of employing others, recommendations for promotions, awards of contract
etc. demands for sexual intercourse from subordinates or students in exchange
for these benefits in something for something.
13.
Groper:
Whenever the opportunity presents itself, these harassers eye and hands begin
to wander, engaging in unwanted physical contact that may start innocuous but
lead to worse.
14.
Sexualized
environments: There are some environments that have
already been sexually abused by corrupt individuals and any decent person who
goes there will suffer from psychological sexual shock. Some environments are
quit indecent and have been arranged for obscenities, sexual joke, sexually
explicit graffiti, viewing internet pornography, sexually degrading, poster and
objects.
15.
The
Counsellor-Helper (Mother and Father Figures): A
person or persons could be in a position to offer counselling and guidance
services to clients while masking their sexual intentions with pretences for
personal professional or academic attentions, suddenly, such persons begin to
make unusual advances for sexual favours with their clients.
16.
Sexual
rituals and initiations: New members into certain cult
groups are likely to face sexual abuses due to ritual, ceremonies and
initiations.
17.
Incompetent:
Some
sexual harassers’ desire attention by their victims but unfortunately their
victims do not give them the attention, because they feel a sense of rejection
by their victims, they may use bullying methods as a form of revenge.
What are the Two Types of Sexual Harassment?
Sexual
harassment is a type of sex discrimination and is illegal
under Title VII of
the Civil Rights Act of 1964. According to the Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission (EEOC), there are two types of sexual harassment that take place in
the workplace: quid pro quo and hostile work environment.
WHAT IS QUID PRO QUO SEXUAL HARASSMENT?
QUID PRO QUO SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Meaning
"this for that" in Latin, quid pro quo sexual harassment is
when an individual, typically a supervisor, ask or hints at sexual favors in
exchange for employment benefits. Some of these benefits may include:
·
Wage increases (raises)
·
A larger or newer office or cubicle
·
Promotion
·
Travel opportunities
·
More desirable shifts
·
Job retention
This
is by no means an all-inclusive list, and there are certainly more promises a
supervisor can make in a quid pro quo incident. There is no gender specific
type of this instance, as it can occur from a man to a woman, woman to man, or
even same sex.
Quid pro
quo sexual harassment typically
involves someone in a supervisor-type role who asks or hints at sexual favors
in exchange for any type of employment benefit. This could mean that, in return
for some type of sexual favor, the employee would receive more pay, a
higher-ranking job, or more seniority within the company.
Quid
pro quo and hostile work environment sexual harassment can happen to women and
men, and the victim and perpetrator can be of the same or differing sex.
Hostile Environment Sexual Harassment
Hostile
work environment sexual harassment can
consist of intimidating or threatening comments, jokes, and repeated sexual
advances that impact the ability of an employee to do his or her job.
This
type of sexual harassment is more centered on the hostility and offensiveness
that pollute the workplace environment when an individual or group of
individuals harass a colleague or a group of colleagues.
Examples
of hostile environment sexual harassment may include:
·
Repetitious
telling of dirty jokes or sexual anecdotes;
·
Drawings,
images, statues, pictures, dolls, or icons that are of a sexual nature or
undertone;
·
Written
communications such as memos or emails that are sexual in nature;
·
The use
of insults or derogatory remarks that are sexual in nature; and/or
·
Repeated
behavior that is inappropriate, such as touching, rubbing, or groping. This
sexually-oriented behavior is not welcomed or done with permission, or, it is
consented to, but it creates a hostile work environment for others.
The
above-mentioned examples of sexual harassment are common instances of direct
sexual harassment. Non-direct (indirect) sexual harassment occurs when a
secondary victim has been offended by auditory or visual conduct.
For
instance, if a bystander hears something offensive that wasn’t aimed at him or
her, indirect sexual harassment may have occurred. This could take place by
overhearing a lewd joke, seeing an email or letter that was sexual in nature,
or coming across pictures on a screen saver that are deemed sexually offensive.
Non-direct sexual harassment can also involve a person witnessing the
harassment of someone else.
FORMS OF SEXUAL
HARASSMENT
In some cases, sexual
harassment is obvious and may involve an overt action, threat, or reprisal. In
other instances, sexual harassment is subtle and indirect, with a coercive
aspect that is unstated. Some examples include the following:
v Sexual harassment can occur between persons
of equal power status (e.g., student to student, staff to staff) or between
persons of unequal power status (e.g., faculty member to student, coach to
student-athlete). Although sexual harassment often occurs in the context of the
misuse of power by the individual with the greater power, a person who appears
to have less or equal power in a relationship can also commit sexual
harassment.
v Sexual harassment can be committed by (or
against) an individual or by (or against) an organization or group.
v Sexual harassment can be committed by an
acquaintance, a stranger, or people who shared a personal, intimate, or sexual
relationship.
v Sexual harassment can occur by or against an
individual of any sex, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual
orientation.
v Examples
of behavior that might be considered sexual harassment include, but are not
limited to:
v Unwanted sexual innuendo, propositions,
sexual attention, or suggestive comments and gestures; inappropriate humor
about sex or gender-specific traits; sexual slurs or derogatory language
directed at another person’s sexuality, gender, gender identity, sexual
orientation, or gender expression; insults and threats based on sex, gender,
gender identity, sexual orientation, or gender expression; and other oral,
written, or electronic communications of a sexual nature that an individual
communicates is unwanted and unwelcome.
v Written graffiti or the display or
distribution of sexually explicit drawings, pictures, or written materials;
sexually charged name-calling; or the circulation, display, or creation of e-
mails, text messages, or websites of a sexual nature.
v Display or circulation of written materials
or pictures degrading to an individual or gender group where such display is
not directly related to academic freedom or to an educational/pedagogical,
artistic, or work purpose.
v Unwelcome physical contact or suggestive body
language, such as touching, patting, pinching, hugging, kissing, or brushing
against an individual’s body.
v Physical coercion or pressure of an
individual to engage in sexual activity or punishment for a refusal to respond
or comply with sexual advances.
v Use of a position of power or authority to:
(1) threaten or punish, either directly or by implication, for refusing to
tolerate harassment, for refusing to submit to sexual activity, or for
reporting harassment; or (2) promise rewards in return for sexual favors.
v Acts of verbal, nonverbal, or physical
aggression, intimidation, or hostility based on sex or sex-stereotyping.
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND SEXUAL ASSAULT AND
SEXUAL MISCONDUCT
Sexual harassment is a broad
term, including many types of unwelcome verbal and physical sexual attention.
Sexual assault refers to sexual contact or behavior, often physical that occurs
without the consent of the victim. Sexual harassment generally violates civil
laws you have a right to work or learn without being harassed but in many cases
is not a criminal act, while sexual assault usually refers to acts that are
criminal. Some forms of sexual assault include:
v Penetration of the victim’s body, also known
as rape.
v Attempted rape.
v Forcing a victim to perform sexual acts, such
as oral sex or penetration of the perpetrator’s body.
v Fondling or unwanted sexual touching.
Sexual misconduct is a
non-legal term used informally to describe a broad range of behaviors, which
may or may not involve harassment. For example, some companies prohibit sexual
relationships between coworkers, or between an employee and their boss, even if
the relationship is consensual.
Where
can sexual harassment occur?
Sexual harassment can occur
in the workplace or learning environment, like a school or university. It can
happen in many different scenarios, including after-hours conversations,
exchanges in the hallways, and non-office settings of employees or peers.
REASONS FOR SEXUAL HARASSMENT
There are various
reasons that could be adduced but the followings will be considered viz;
1.
A
reflect of societal decadence: The school is a
microcosm of the larger society that means whatever that goes on in the society
is usually replicated in the school. The societal attitude and practice is to
stereotype women as sex objects for men’s pleasure. The social abuse thousands of
Nigerian women experience daily on the streets, in the market places, schools
and workplaces speak volume of sexual harassment.
2.
The society is encouraging education of
the girl-child but unmindful of
hostile environment that makes learning for the girl-child difficult which
result to high rate of female stop outs. The chairman of the Nigerian human
right commission, Prof. Chidi Odinakalu asserts that the increase of sexual
harassment and the attendant impurity around it mirror the general of
University system.
3.
Peer
Group Influence: Mostly students and principal staff of
tertiary institutions engage themselves in sexual harassment sometimes because
they want to be like others. They want to do what they heard or saw their
colleagues did, with the aim of satisfying their ego. The psychoanalysis theory
of Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) has ID as one of his major concept. He desired ID
as caulation of setting excitations. The chief characteristics of ID according
to Freud is the desire to satisfy its immediate needs no matter whose ox is
gored and by nature it is irrational, amoral and does not bother with logic or
reality. The ID is pleasure seeking and does not mind the consequences of the
actions carried out. The only concern of ID is maximum satisfaction of instincts
and once gratification is achieved, ID is satisfied. It was this same desire to
be like others (other nations) that lead the whole nation of Israel to demand
for a king (1Samuel 8).
4.
Parental
influence: Charity they say begins at home. The family is seen
as the bedrock of any child towards either negative or positive behaviours. No
matter the degree of outside pressure on a child, if the family has a good and
strong foundation or upbringing for the child, this will always, serve as a
remote control for a responsible child or student whenever he is being tempted
by the behaviours of the anti-social gangs. The home environment establishes
the earliest criteria for foundation and development modes of thought. During
the early years of age, the child has to depend on the family as he himself
cannot meet his demands of life. It is an open fact that parents either father
or mother or brother that live in sexual harassment or harlot mode, chasing
girls or sleeping outside or most of their time spent in bars or hotels, or
having sex indiscriminately in the present of their children without privacy
are directly indoctrinating their children to do some and as a result such
parents have no moral justification to condemn such habits among their
children.
5.
The
New Dimension Lesbianism: If a man is homo-sexual, they are
sexually attracted to people of the same sex often called homosexual but in the
case of lesbianism, a woman is sexually attracted to other women referred to as
lesbian. The new dimension in sexual harassment in our higher institutions is
where some female lecturers now harass female students to satisfy their sexual
urge. This act is a very shameful and is at variance with the law of God, who
made the male and female. In fact, this was reason for the destruction of Sodom
and Gomorrah. Authorities of various higher institutions in Nigeria are
ignorant of this because to the best of our knowledge, they have not heard of
this case being brought to the disciplinary committee or the culprit being
punished.
6.
Community/Students
Environment: sexual among students or youth are
emanated from the culture and environment of the institutions or community they
hail from. It is said that one man’s meat or meal is another man’s poison. This
goes to explain that hat is adhered by one institution or community many be
honoured by another one. While certain communities or institutions encourage
sexual harassments or activities among the students or youth but others
vehemently kick against it. The approval of some communities or institutions
may learn towards social religious/ritual and any community when this is done
definitely people there will find nothing wrong in doing this.
7.
Academic
Incompetence: Some female students who are academic
misfits relapse into sexual intercourse as they approach lectures in the
offices with sexual advances such as the flaunting of sensitive parts of their
bodies. It is not usual that when issues of sexual harassments in campuses are
raised, it is the girls that are presumed to be the major victims. The male
lecturers are the villains and predators. Sexual harassment is not only
suffered by female alone, males tool are sexually assaulted. Many female
students do not take their studies seriously and the only means of passing
examination available to them is through sexual abuse and sorting with make
predators.
8.
Drug
Abuse: Wariboko (2000) asserts that both male and female
students and lecturers abuse themselves with narcotic drugs such as Indian
hemps, alcoholic drinks, cigarettes and other sedatives. Such people likely to be involved with sexual
abuses.
9.
A
Double Edged Sword: While sexual harassment in higher
institutions is mostly perceived from the angle of male philandering lecturers
running after female students little is often spoken about students
deliberately seducing male lecturers mainly for better grades. If people know
also what lecturers go through, the number of times some principled lecturers
send female students out of their offices as a result of provocative dressing.
Some female students even volunteer to pay for rooms in guest houses for
lecturers to meet with them. The chairman of National Human Rights Commission,
Prof. Chidi Odinakachi as a former lecturer admitted that female students were
increasingly harassing their lecturers. He further said that this may not be
fashionable but sexual harassment in higher institutions is a two-way thing.
Many lecturers prey on students but some students also do prey on lecturers. In
support of the view, Effiong (2007) informs that sexual harassment is not
always one-sided. The ladies too, go harassing their lecturers. He used himself
as a case study, saying he couldn’t count the number of times ladies have dealt
with him. I have received text messages from girls harassing me sexually. He
gets e-mails and letters from them on a daily basis. That is not all. It didn’t
start today. Right from the time he was the head of department, girls come into
my office, jam the door and strip naked. When these ladies strip, I shout for
help. I call my secretary (who is a male) and tell him to come in that there is
danger in my office. I explore all these avenues to get off trouble.
10.
Evil
Association: Many students who gained admission into
our higher institutions came in as a Tabula Rasa in mind intentions. What change
their value systems over night are the wrong choices of corrupt friends. It is
an incontrovertible fact that evil association corrupt good manners. Wariboko
(2000) informs that in one of the higher institution in Nigeria an engineering
student tricked her own friend and handed her over to a male lecturer who
sexually abused her in the lecturer’s house. The same saying is true “show me
your friend and I will tell you whom you are”.
11.
Campus
Prostitution: People are worried by the high rate of
prostitution among students of the high institution, the authorities of the
institutions and religious fellowships on campuses have started prayer sessions
to fight the scourge. The National Association of Nigeria Students has called
on the Federal Government to do something urgent to rid nation’s campuses on
prostitution and social vice. The various campus fellowships described it as an
assault unleashed on God’s creatures from the pit of hell. The new wave of
prostitution had crept greatly into the house of God and the students
prostitutes mingled freely with the flock of Jesus. Prostitution is a
consequence of cultism as cultists are the ones who usually recruit young
unwary and innocent girls into the act of prostitution, prostitution and
violence on campuses across the country are two monsters that could destroy the
nation’s educational system. Any keen follower of events in Nigeria tertiary
institutions should have noticed by now that campus prostitution is the latest
in vogue among female students. Different names such as Hustling, Runs, Paro,
Gbese, Aristol and Alaanu me (my benefactor) have been coined by these act,
girls to carry out their shameful Act, which they are blaming on the widespread
poverty in the country (The Punch, June 10, 2008).
12.
Pornographic
Films and Documentaries: According to Wariboko (2000) also
informs that some pornographic films and documentaries fro western, world have
infiltrated into African nations and particularly the educational institutions.
Some of these films and documentaries exhibit materials of nude men and women
in the corrupt act of sexual intercourse. African students have gained access
to these pornographic materials and corrupted themselves with them. This is one
of the major banes of sexual harassment in educational institutions in Nigeria.
More so, the use of handsets have given students unlimited access to these
pornographic sites and in some cases, they (the students) downloaded
pornographic films themselves.
13.
Indecent
or Seductive Dressing: In the society today, people have
lost their value because of indecent or seductive dressing. Although, some
girls are very good in a character and posses some of the qualities that most
men need in a woman but their manner of dressing is one of their problems.
People wear anything because they want to be fashionable and follow the trend
of the society. Today some girls are raped because of the way they dressed.
Your dressing says a lot about you, it can open up closed door of an
opportunity for you and that includes marriage etc. In higher institutions
today, the trend of dressing in the recent times among the youths, especially
girls and younger women demands urgent attention. Agreed that fashion changes
with time, but the present situation where girls dress in simply and revealing
dresses in the name of fashion, is an abuse of decorum, unffrican and must be
jettised. Regrettably the canker has ever affected our agents of change, the
church and the school. In some of the 21st century churches, men of
God have thrown decency to the wind so long as tithes and offerings are paid.
To them what matter is the state of the heart, not the dressing, while higher
institution campuses have become body exhibition grounds. Just watch them or
how else can one describe a situation where sensitive part of the girls are
exposed, and this is done in co-educational institutions. One clear fact is
that cases of rapes and sex harassments are triggered off by such acts, Abi man
nah wood? (Uchegbuo, 2008).
14.
Social
Set-Up: The urge to belong to the societal social setup has
also prompted the students of higher institutions to involve in sexual
harassment. There is a popular saying that when you are in Rome, you do like
the Romans. For this reason, the students and staff can be curious to have sex
or sexual harassment in order to be member of the society.
15.
Physical
Attractive Girls or Ladies: The men that live in
sexual harassment or harlot mode go for beautiful girls or because of the
societal relevance of beauty. It is believed that their physical attractiveness
could easily seduce very rich and powerful men who would be generous with their
money. In a nutshell their major function is to prostitute with their body.
16.
Complicity
of School Authorities: It is an incontrovertible fact that
lecturers vice chancellors, Rectors, and others staff of institutions of high
learning involves themselves in sexual harassment on campuses some of these
helmsmen in the school serves as a protective shield to the sexual harassment
guys or groups.
17.
Harsh
Economic Realities: The economic reality of our society is
really taking its toll on students. In a situation where higher institutions
students are jam-packed in a hostel which is more or less like a refugees camp
and they are made to cough out, outrageous sums of money for just a bed space
to lay their heads while also tuition fees are always being astronomically
increased for those students from financially distressed background who must
get education. They take to the next available vice like sexual harassment when
lured with all manners of exaggerated expectations.
EFFECTS
OR CONSEQUENCES OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT
The implications of
sexual harassment on both individuals and institutions are enormous and can be
discussed below;
Implication
on Education
According to
Taiwo-Omole and Omole (2014), infer that sexual harassment undermines the
integrity of the academic environment and it prevents the victims from
achieving their full potential. For instance, graduates with certificates
obtained through favour or sexual consent are not worth the certificates they
have been conferred. This is clearly demonstrated in the performance of the
half-baked graduates produced into the labour market in the recent times.
Also many seasoned
lecturers and researchers in whom much resources of the nation have been
expanded have been lost and their careers terminated through cases of sexual
harassment.
More so, sexual
harassment can influence how well students perform in school and make it
difficult for the students to achieve her career goals.
In addition, memory
hardly fades away rather it continues to trigger a feeling of depression that
can make the victim develop a withdrawal syndrome particularly from men with
long-term impact on decision to be married.
As a result of sexual
harassment, a student may have trouble in learning or drop-out of school, lose
trust in school officials, become isolated nurse constant for fear for personal
safety and have low self-esteem which may prevent the student from achieving
her maximum potential.
In some vein, Wariboko
(2000) outline the effects of sexual harassments on educational institutions
which includes;
1.
Decrease in productivity due to team
conflicts.
2.
Financial goals cannot be met due to
team conflict.
3.
Decrease in job satisfaction.
4.
Victims
of ritual killings: Many
female sexual harassment in prostitutions have been found missing, some of them
have fallen victim of ritual killings. It is no only female that may fall prey
to ritual killers, others female students who indulge in campus prostitution
could also fall victim. It was in 2001, that an unfortunate incident occurred
in the University of Maiduguri, when three female students were found dead in a
popular hotel in the metropolis with some organs of their bodies missing. The fact later unfolded that these
young female undergraduates were lured by some men (ritualist) who offered them
money.
5.
Academic
Setback: majority of sexual harassers find it difficult to
cope with their academic work, they soldom have time for their studies as a
result of their frivolous commitment to mundane sexual harassment activities.
More than half of them often find themselves repeating or being withdrawn from
their classes or school.
6.
Loss of staff or students and expertise
due to resignations to avoid harassment or fining.
7.
Decrease in work or school performance
and increase in absenteeism.
8.
Having to drop courses or leave school.
9.
Increase health care expenditure due to
the consequences of sexual harassment.
10.
It also undermines or weakens ethical or
moral standards and discipline in the school, staff and students would lose
respect and trust for their seniors and teachers alike.
11.
School image and reputation would be
blasphemed if matters are blown open or if it gets to the court.
Consequences
on Lower Levels of Education
The consequences of
sexual harassment on lower levels of education are grave. According to the
Punch (Monday, February 12th, 2007) reports that over 1,000 female
students in Primary and Secondary schools in the country on Saturday, protested
to the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Obiageli Ezekwesili, over the increasing
incidence of sexual harassment in their schools. They urged the federal
government to save them from randy teachers.
Psychological
Consequences of Sexual Harassment
According to
Taiwo-Omole and Omole (2014) attest that sexual harassment is often associated
with assault, bullying, coercion, discrimination, favouritism, exploitation and
intimidation as vices that play out in the sexual encounter, leaving the victim
with long-term pains that devastate their psychological well-being. Incidence
of sexual harassment is not always reported and perpetrators are allowed to go
free. This could be responsible for the unchecked reoccurrence of the behaviour
deficit. Sexually harassed individuals can suffer through a number or psychological effects ranging from initiation a
frustration to anxiety, stress and trauma. Depending on the situation, a victim
can experience anything from mild annoyance to extreme psychological damage,
while impact on a victim’s career and life may be significant and also leave
them in ruins. They went further to say that there are many physical and
psychological reactions in response to discriminatory experiences. These
includes; gastrointestinal disorders, Jaw tightening, health grinding, dizziness,
nausea, diarrhoea, muscle spasms, fatigue, neck pain, back pain, weight loss,
headache, dyspepsia, pulse changes, increased perspiration, cold feet and
hands, loss of appetite etc.
In the same perspective
Wariboko (2000) highlights the effects of sexual harassment on the victims
which includes;
1.
Loss of job or career or loss of income.
2.
Suffers humiliation and gossips.
3.
Deformation of character and reputation
4.
Victims become subjects of public
scrutiny or criticism.
5.
Loss of trust in environment similar to
where the harassment occurred.
6.
Extreme stress upon relationships on
peers, colleagues and others.
7.
Friends colleagues, family members may
distance themselves from the victims and shun him or her.
8.
Loss of trust on other people occupying
similar positions as the harasser.
9.
Having to relocate to another city or
another school.
10.
Loss of reference and recommendation.
EFFECTS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE WORKPLACE
A hostile working environment characterized by pervasive
sexual harassment can make employees uncomfortable, to say the least. However,
the serious effects of sexual harassment are often understated. These behaviors
can cause significant health problems, financial difficulties, and even global
repercussions. If you’ve encountered sexual harassment in the workplace, you
have the right to consult a sexual harassment attorney .
Your labor law attorney can explain your legal rights to you and discuss your options
for obtaining damages.
v Emotional
Well-Being: Sexual
harassment can jeopardize the victim’s emotional and mental health. It can lead
to the loss of self-esteem and it may even compromise personal relationships.
Sexual harassment in the workplace can cause significant stress and anxiety. An
employment harassment lawyer is also likely to work with clients who have
suffered from long-term clinical depression as a result of sexual harassment.
v Physical
Health: Physical
health and emotional health are closely linked. When victims of sexual
harassment experience mental and emotional problems, it often leads to physical
health issues, such as loss of appetite, headaches, weight fluctuations, and
sleep disturbances. Sleep disturbances can, in turn, lead to other serious
health problems, such as hormonal imbalance, an increased risk of high blood
pressure, and a weakened immune system.
v Financial
Challenges: In
addition to causing health problems, sexual harassment frequently leads to
financial challenges. It’s important to tell your sexual harassment attorney in
San Jose about any financial consequences of sexual harassment, such as lost
wages and unpaid leave. Some victims of sexual harassment may even face broader
career repercussions, such as the loss of job references. They may decide to
leave their current position or employer to avoid a hostile work environment.
v Global
Consequences: Sexual harassment has a direct effect on
employers and the global economy. Each year, millions
are lost due to absenteeism, low productivity, employee turnover,
low morale, and legal costs stemming from sexual harassment. The economy also
suffers due to premature retirement and higher insurance costs.
Experiencing sexual
harassment may cause some survivors to face emotional, physical, or mental
health concerns. Some of them might include:
Emotional effects:
·
Anger
·
Fear
·
Humiliation
·
Shame
·
Guilt
·
Betrayal
·
Violation
·
Powerlessness
and loss of control
Mental health effects:
·
Anxiety
·
Panic
attacks
·
Difficulty
concentrating
·
Loss of
motivation
Physical effects:
·
Increased
stress levels
·
Headaches
·
Fatigue
PREVENTION OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT
Sexual harassment and assault may be
prevented by secondary school, college, and workplace education
programs. At least one program for fraternity men produced "sustained behavioral
change". Many sororities and fraternities in the United States take
preventative measures against hazing and hazing activities during the participants' pledging processes
(which may often include sexual harassment). Many Greek
organizations and
universities nationwide have anti-hazing policies that explicitly recognize
various acts and examples of hazing, and offer preventative measures for such
situations. Anti-sexual harassment training programs have little evidence of
effectiveness and "Some studies suggest that training may in fact
backfire, reinforcing gendered stereotypes that place women at a
disadvantage".
Public Enlightenment
Public enlightenment has been shown to be a
critical tool in changing behaviour, attitude, beliefs and value system of
people (Nwosu, 1986). Therefore there should be intense public
enlightenment and education at schools, social clubs, cultural group
gatherings, churches, mosques and through the media, to first of all, demystify
the myths about sexual assault. These myths inform the way many people think
about sexual assault, and because they are in the background unconsciously
influencing people’s thoughts, the false assumptions may be seen as being true.
For example, when we read in the newspaper that a young girl has been raped,
perhaps near a nightclub, we often instinctively search for a cause other than
the real one (that she was raped because a man with the power to do so decided
to rape her). Perhaps we proffer the reason for the rape as tied to the place
she was raped, or the time of the day, or the clothes she was wearing, or the
fact that she was alone. This way of thinking deflects blame from where it
rightly belongs with the perpetrator of the crime. Details of these myths are
the subject of a well researched publication (Ojo, Olufemi, 2013). It
is this kind of community disposition and ignorance that detracts from tackling
the real cause of sexual assault, without which preventive efforts will be
futile.
To champion the public enlightenment crusade,
the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the media occupy a major role in
this respect. Recently in Nigeria, the president of African Civil Society
against Rape, a Civil Society Organization, called upon Nigerians during a
media parley, to join forces with the CSOs in order to heighten public
enlightenment in the fight against rape and sexual violence in the
country. The role of the CSOs would include sponsoring relevant bills at
the national assembly that would toughen current legislature on sexual
violence. This may include making rape, a capital offence with protracted
prison terms as advocated by the African Civil Society against Rape in
Nigeria. The whole idea is to make the prospect of sexual assault to a would-be
perpetrator, as unattractive as possible. The myriads of physical and
psychosocial impediments on the victims/survivors of sexual assault in
particular and the society in general, would justify any tough legislative
measures to curb this monstrous abuse on the integrity of individuals and by
extension the entire society (Leserman, 2005).
It is important the advocacy community in its
attempt to provide victim safety and offender accountability, and more
importantly in prevention of sexual assault, should not isolate itself from
other relevant stakeholders but rather take into account the criminal justice
and treatment efforts to also address sexual offending behavior (D’Amora,
1999). Furthermore a coalition of organizations, including women’s groups,
religious bodies, businesses, and trade unions that are speaking out against
all forms of sexual violence in a manner reminiscent of the “Take a Stand”
movement in South Africa which commemorated an International Day Against
Violence Against Women, could be replicated in every community with active
support of the news media (Ramsay, 2018). These enlightenment programmes paid
off for the intended goals in the affected community in the past, and optimism
in this important tool for public change cannot be misplaced if applied
persistently in sexual assault prevention.
Education
The Universal Basic Education (UBE) recently
introduced by the Federal Government of Nigeria through an enabling federal law
was meant to make education compulsory and free for all children up to the
junior secondary school level. Aluede (2006) it has been shown that
education of children, especially the girl child, goes a long way in boosting
the socio-economic and socio-cultural status of women in the society. This in
the run long will inherently empower women who are often disadvantaged by the
undue attention paid to the education of male children over their female counterparts
especially in the developing world. This imbalance, coupled with poverty and
ignorance, has lead to persistent practice in certain parts of Nigeria where
children and teenagers, instead of being in the classroom, are used for street
hawking of petty wares by their parents or “care givers”, thus making them
vulnerable to sexual exploitation and abuse. Child and women trafficking with
the attendant risk of sexual assault and exploitation would be greatly
curtailed if equal opportunity and free formal education is provided for all
children.
The UBE as introduced in Nigeria with the
enabling law, has the potential to take children off the street and at least
obviate the poverty reason, usually responsible for non-enrolment in school and
may also mitigate other religious and cultural reasons adduced for not sending,
especially, the girl-child to school. The law has mandated that all Nigerian
children must be enrolled in schools and failure to do so, parents or guardians
would be prosecuted. Sexual assault prevention requires a solid foundation and
one of the pillars would be addressing the gross inequality against the girl
child in the educational system (Scott, 1995).
Institutional Framework
Prevention of sexual assault will remain a
mirage until society puts in place institutional framework to deal
comprehensively with actual cases of sexual assault. This approach involves
functional, skilled, and synchronized services and also includes the criminal
justice system, the police, social services, and sexual assault services.
Encouraging victims/survivors of sexual assault to break their silence by
making freely available such services, which should be community based, and the
successful prosecution of perpetrators, will serve as a deterrent and hopefully
prevent the next person from falling victim.
Scott and colleagues, in their work,
acknowledged the potency of these synchronized activities thus: “through
speaking out, sexual assault victims risked breaking the silence around sexual
assault and in this way gained a voice. Due to the strength and courage of
these women, we are witnessing the establishment of services nationwide which
support sexual assault victims, increasing understanding of the crime of sexual
assault and, perhaps, the beginning of a change in society’s attitude (Scott,
1995).
Emphasis on Primary Prevention
This modality stems from the summary of
findings of progress and challenges in creating safe and healthy environment
for Victorian women in a study of community attitudes to violence against
women. Sapp and Vandeven (2005) the document highlights different
strategic levels that apply in the prevention of violence against women.
Adapting these provisions specifically for sexual assault and emphasizing on
primary prevention (i.e. preventing sexual assault before it occurs), which
should be the ultimate goal of any sexual assault prevention programme, may
entail the following levels, either alone or in combination depending on the
affected population:
Primary Prevention
These strategies seek to prevent sexual
assault before it occurs by changing environments so that they are safer for
women (a simple measure like well lit walk ways could make a lot of difference,
even though there are more factors to sexual assault than just dark places),
building the skills and knowledge of individuals or changing behaviour. Primary
prevention addresses its underlying causes (such as gender inequality and
poverty), and are effective prevention strategies (Lo, 2006).
Early Intervention
Early intervention is targeted to individuals
and groups who exhibit early signs of violent behaviour or being subject to
violence. These strategies aim to change behaviours or increase the skills of
individuals and groups. This in my opinion may involve, for example, some
reorientation, especially for “boys” that what is rather “cool”, a contemporary
word for what is acceptable, especially among the youth, is having respect for
the opposite or same sex, obtaining appropriate consent for sex, and accepting “NO”
as meaning “NO”.
Intervention
These strategies are implemented after
violence has occurred and aim to deal with the violence, prevent its
consequences and ensure that violence does not occur again or escalate (Lo, 2006).
A comprehensive protocol thus could be
developed for the overall management of sexual assault and this would outline
primary, secondary and tertiary levels of prevention that commences from a
universal personal education and assistance for new parents to help ensure a
positive relationship with the child and with access to continuing assistance
where needed into the preschool years; and a formal link to the education
service on entering school to a tertiary level of prevention predicated on a
community-based, court ordered specific treatment programmes with specialists
trained in this field to assist offenders to take responsibility for and
control their behaviour. Data from the US that evaluated the effect of this
kind of comprehensive approach suggests a true decline in the incidence of
child sexual abuse over the last decade, and is evidence that, in part at
least, child sexual abuse may be preventable (Lo, 2006).
As parents help to prevent sexual abuse of
minors through open discussions of normal sexual development with their children,
the paediatrician or other specialist children workers are in an ideal position
to both aid parents in these discussions and to incorporate sexual development
and abuse prevention into routine anticipatory guidance (Sapp and Vandeven,
2005)
Some workers have also focused on perpetrator
prevention, i.e. stopping the development of sexually abusive behaviour. This
entails incorporation of perpetrator prevention into an ecological approach to
the prevention of sexual assault and involves the exploration of three of the
risk factors linked with sexually abusive behaviour: gender inequality, the
negative effects on children and young men of media exposure to sexual
violence, and the increased risk of sexually abusive behaviour by males with a
history of childhood sexual abuse (Swift, 1995).
Pre-assault Self-Defence/Assertiveness Training
In some parts of the world women’s
self-defence courses, usually organized by institutional Sexual Assault
Prevention and Response (SAPR) programme do in fact exist (WSDC, 2005).
This is a rather bold attempt to correct the
traditional role ideology especially in the more prevalent sexual assault
against women, where a societal expectation about sexual assault exists that
men will be aggressive and women will be passive. However it is equally
important to avoid any negative effects of self blame in the unfortunate event
of a sexual assault despite possessing self defence skills. To this end
therefore such defence courses should also emphasize that responsibility for
assault always lies with the offenders and that women or victims are not
responsible for Annals of Ibadan Postgraduate Medicine. Vol. 11 No. 2 December,
2013 67 defending themselves from an attack (Breclin and Ullman, 2005).
Historically, women have been judged to have been raped or assaulted only if
they mounted a “forceful resistance”, the assumption being that if a woman did
not resist with all her strength that the sex must have been consensual.
Clay-Warner, (2002) notwithstanding all the potential pitfalls of this approach
to sexual assault prevention, the positive angle may be that such programmes
encourage women to feel more physically powerful and able to disarm rapists.
This approach however reflects the early stage of awareness about sexual abuse
and is primarily a strategy to encourage women’s safety in public not in
private where most sexual violence occurs usually perpetrated by someone known
to the victim. As already highlighted, it is a confrontational approach with
inherent merits and demerits (Carmody, 2003).
Recognizing Vulnerable Groups
Sexual abuse of people with mental
retardation is widespread with one study finding up to 80% of women with mild
mental retardation having experienced sexual abuse, at least once. Lumley et al
(1998), it has also been suggested that deficits in judgment and social skills
may result in an increased vulnerability to sexual abuse in this group of
people. Additional factors may include deficits in communication, an inability
to seek help or report abuse, lack of knowledge on how to defend against abuse,
and lack of education regarding appropriate sexual behaviour. Often they are
dependent on others in scenarios where compliance is typically encouraged and
reinforced such as in institutions which unfortunately might generalize to
sexually abusive requests (Aylott, 1999).
Every responsible society must pay special
attention to the very vulnerable. Studies have shown that behavioural skills
training programme resulted in the acquisition of sexual abuse prevention
skills in these individuals. Eastgate, in her study on this subject, concluded
that women (and men) with intellectual disabilities need education to assist
them to resist sexual abuse. In addition they may also need advocacy to ensure
their environment (e.g. living situation, level of support) protects them from
abuse as much as possible
(Eastgate, 2005). Such training programmes could be
replicated in various communities taking into consideration their peculiar
demographic and sociocultural factors. I have no doubt that such specialized
efforts will yield much dividend in the prevention of sexual assaults among the
very vulnerable groups. It cannot be overemphasized that children with mental
retardation need special protection from their parents/guardians/caregivers and
the society at large (Tharinger, 1990).
Young adolescents also constitute another
vulnerable group deserving special attention. Saewyc et al (2003) The high
rates of sexual assault experienced by young people suggest there is an urgent
need for preventive initiatives, which target young people population to be
developed and to focus on adolescents using schools as prime sites of
disseminating such prevention initiatives, with an increased emphasis on
negotiating ethical and consensual relationships (Keel, 2005).
Confronting the Challenges
Sexual assault is preventable but it requires
more than just a causal effort because of the complexity of its nature as
alluded to in the foregoing discussion. It is important the developed societies
maintain alertness and consolidate on preventive measures in place whilst the
developing world could learn from the successes and failures of preventive
measures that have been implemented in certain places. A global collaboration
is a critical requirement so as to create a hostile environment for sexual
assault perpetrators in all climes. To this end, a purpose driven framework
developed in Australia is worth considering in confronting the challenges of
sexual assault prevention. This framework is amenable to modification in order
to fit into peculiar social, cultural, and religious contexts that exist in
different places. The principles reflect the magnitude of the challenge in
issues of sexual assault prevention, and also highlight the level of commitment
and leadership required thus:
v Responsibility for the eradication of sexual
assault rests with the whole community.
v Prevention begins with addressing the
cultural values and norms that support and tolerate sexual assault. This is a
long-term undertaking requiring sustained leadership and effort.
v Any ongoing development of an evidence based
modality should be anchored in the context of each environment as this is
fundamental to sexual assault prevention.
v No single agency of government can address
sexual assault prevention alone. Portfolios across all levels of government,
including education, health, justice, and crime prevention, as well as the
non-government sector and community stakeholders, each have a significant
contribution to make.
v The generation and dissemination of research,
practice and policy information to all stakeholders is central to sexual
assault prevention.
Challenges that will be encountered in
addressing the issue of sexual assault only reflect the complexity of the
behaviours to be addressed in eliminating sexual violence. Although sexual
violence is primarily instigated by males, it is the whole community that
allows for the acceptance, maintenance, and reinforcement of such behaviour.
Campbell and Wasco (2005) therefore the target is not only individual
Annals of Ibadan Postgraduate Medicine. Vol. 11 No. 2 December, 2013 68
behavioural change, but also a community-level shift in the values and norms
(such as bride price and other cultural practices that tend to portray women as
objects for possession) that support sexual assault, hence the inherent
challenges/difficulties that are inevitable in this task.
OTHER
PREVENTIONS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT
In preventing this
epidemic ailment called sexual harassment, we all are physicians. It is a
collective responsibility where the government, the institutions and the
students should be involved.
I shall attempt to
suggest roles to be played by these categories of people.
The
Role of Government in Preventing Sexual Harassment
First and foremost, the
government should sponsor jingles against sexual harassment on the electronic
media. This is because the mass media are powerful agents of socialisation in
our society. Apart from that dramas could also be staged on the television to
campaign against sexual harassment in school.
The
role of institution in preventing sexual harassment
1. Those
who encourage errors should desist from such immoral act. School authorities
would not have the moral courage to campaign against sexual harassment. If the
vice Chancellor, Rectors, Provost, Registrars and Lecturers are neck-deep in
sexual harassment themselves. As such any staff or members found involved in
this monstrous gangsterism should be dismissed from the service of the
institution and made to face the wrath of the law.
2. Students
caught in sexual harassment should be given outright expulsion from the
institution no matter which their parents are whoever comes to plead for
reinstatement of sexual harassment should be treated as an accomplice.
3. The
security mechanism of institution should be activated to fight effectively
against sexual harassment.
4. Every
institution should establish guidance and counselling units to counsel students
on the dangers of sexual harassment and to psychologically motivate those who
are innocent or honest in school.
5. At
the beginning of every session, the school authority should organise
orientation seminar for fresh students, sensitizing them on the dangers and
consequences of sexual harassment activities and other vices.
6. Students
vying (aspiring) for positions to the Student Union Government should be
critically screened; those found wanting in the area of sexual harassment
should be disqualified from contesting such sensitive positions.
The
Role of the Students
The students should
resist vehemently the urge to be lured into sexual harassment or any
association that will not contribute to his/her being and academic excellence.
No amount of enticement, persuasion or intimidation should make the students
stoop low to join sexual harassment groups.
The students who are
already into sexual harassment should repent and God will bless them; attempts
by any person to intimidate them should be reported to the school authority.
Students should form
anti-sexual harassment club and fight against it. It is better to fight against
injustice than to live for nothing. Student’s union government and other
students association should be in the forefront of the campaign against sexual
harassment in the schools. They should endeavour to organize well articulated
orientation exercises for fresh students.
CONCLUSION
The purpose of the
being in the tertiary institution is to receive sound education so that the
individual can take delights in the general good of the society and become
useful to his fellow man.
However,
are you a student, young and desirous, of progress, peace and a fulfilling life,
say no to negative peer influence, resist every attempt by decadent peers to
drag you into their pit of misery. Decide today to live above destructive
habits. Makeup your mind to be unique, distinct and focused. Dare to be
different and reach for the skies.
It is my belief that sexual assault can be
prevented but apparently there is urgent need for a paradigm shift from the
radical feminists’ movement of the 1970s to expanded prevention efforts which
recognize differences based on culture, sexuality, ability and age and
gender. It also involves recognizing that although some men (and
relatively few women) are clearly part of “the problem” and others are clearly
already part of the solution, a great number of men and women fall somewhere in
the middle. This bulk of people in the middle, especially the male gender, may
be well-meaning men who are looking for opportunities and direction about what
steps they can take in preventing sexual assault. It is therefore time for an
all inclusive fight against sexual assault; a fight which should be devoid of
sexist bias for greater efficacy; and a fight which indeed is attainable.
It may be appropriate at this juncture to
surmise with a few lines from Dr Moira Carmody of the University of Western
Sydney during her key note address on New Approaches to Sexual Assault
Prevention. In my opinion the following statement encapsulates the point being
made for sexual assault prevention: “It may be timely that we capitalize on
discussions of war and many people’s resistance to this to widen the
conversation to consider all forms of violence…However if we continue to
essentialise masculinity and femininity and avoid the complexity of sexual
relations and sexual violence, we leave little hope for primary prevention
becoming a reality instead of a dream”.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The following measures
should be taken to reduce the menaced of sexual harassment in higher
institutions. They include;
1.
The school authorities at all levels
should adopt severe disciplinary measures on both staff and students involved
to redeem the good image and reputation of the schools from public ridicule.
2.
Parents should properly train up their
children on decent ways of dressing since indecent dressing constitutes bait
and tantalizer for sexual harassment.
3.
School authorities should enforce dress
codes for students.
4.
The school authorities should regularly
organise seminars and workshop on the danger of sexual harassment and should
make it mandatory for staff and all students to attend.
5.
Legal process should be instituted by
parents of victims and courts should enforce serious punitive measures to
crimes involving sexual harassment to serve as a determent to would be
miscreants in the school system.
6.
The security unit in the school should
be well equipped to rapid response.
7.
The school counsellors should be trained
on skilled to handle cases on sexual harassment effectively.
8.
Team teaching should be encouraged.
9.
Ethics and disciplinary committees
should rise up to their responsibilities.
10.
Students should always move in company
of others.
11.
Both staff and students need the fear
and grace of God to overcome.
12.
Government and religious leaders should
rise to their responsibilities to ensure moral rearmament in the Nigerian
society.
13.
Telephone hotlines should be made available
to all students within and outside the campuses.
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