Sexual Violence Against Female Students in Polytechnics in South-West Nigeria

Abstract

Sexual violence against women is a social vice that affects females in diverse forms across clime, race and religion. This manifests through sexual assault, rape, sexual harassment, incest, sexual exploitation, stalking and cyber stalking. Out of all these, sexual assault, rape and sexual harassment of female students by male lecturers are common in the tertiary institutions. There is no doubt that sexual violence is indeed a global problem, but it becomes worrisome when lecturers now demand sex  from their female students   in return for good grades in their courses. This educational epidemic erodes academic integrity and dignity, thus making certification an exercise in falsehood. This study investigated the causes of sexual violence against female students by male lecturers in polytechnics, the consequences of the act on the victims as well as the polytechnic system; and how the horrid act can be controlled in South–West Nigeria. The six states that make up this axis are: Oyo, Osun, Ondo, Ogun, Lagos and Ekiti. The sampled population comprised 1800 female students and 900 adults-both male and female, selected from 17 Federal, State and Private Polytechnics in the six states. The purposive sampling technique was used to select the female students, the adults as well as the polytechnics that participated in the study. The responses were collated and analysed using simple frequencies and percentages because the study was a descriptive survey research. The study revealed that sexual violence against female students was a reality in polytechnics in South-West Nigeria. The male lecturers who indulged in the act did so mainly, to exercise their power and authority over the female students. To control the callous act, some punitive and preventive measures were recommended. These will enable all members of the various academic communities to perceive sexual violence as an inhuman act which every sane person should avoid.

Keywords: Violence, Sexual violence, Female students, Consequences and Control.