A Study of Sexual Harassment in Three Selected Private Faith-Based Universities, Ogun-State, South-West Nigeria

Abstract

- Prior articles indicate the existence of sexual harassment in the public Universities in Nigeria, but knowledge about its prevalence in the private Faith-Based Universities is relatively lacking. Thus, this study is set to address this gap in knowledge, using three selected private Faith-Based Universities in Ogun-State, South-West Nigeria. Relying on primary and secondary sources of data collection, the study tries to find out if female students experience sexual harassment in these institutions. Moreover, it intends to discover if these students report cases of sexual harassment to the school management. Through 5 years data retrieved, the study equally intends to find out the number of staff caught for sexual harassment in each of these institutions and disciplinary actions taken against them. Employing opinions of female students and members of staff through questionnaire and in-depth interview, the study revealed that majority of female students experienced sexual harassment on campus, but most of them disinclined to report their cases to the school management. Drawing on the recorded data between 2008 and 2012, the study reported that 14 members of staff were caught for sexual harassment. The highest figure (50%) was recorded in the University B, following by University C with 28.6% while University A recorded the least figure with 21.4%. Finally, the study reported that 85% of members of staff caught for sexual harassment were relieved from work while the remaining 14.3% were suspended. Keywords - Sexual Harassment