Patterns and causes of sexual harassment in Nigerian Universities as perceived by undergraduates of the university of Ilorin, Nigeria
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Date
2011
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stirling-Holden Publishers Limited
Abstract
The paper investigated the patterns and causes of sexual harassment in Nigerian universities as perceived by undergraduates of the University of Ilorin. A total of 600 undergraduates were selected using stratified random sampling technique. Data were collected from the respondents with the use of an instrument titled: “Patterns and Causes of Sexual Harassment Questionnaire”(PCSHQ). The hypotheses generated were analysed using the students t-test statistics and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at 0.05 alpha level. The study identified the major patterns of sexual harassment as asking questions about students’ sexual life, telling sexual jokes and requesting for visits. Causes of sexual harassment as identified by the respondents include academic weakness, non-sanctioning of offenders and absence of national legislation on sexual harassment. The study indicated no significant difference in the perception of patterns and causes of sexual harassment on the basic of respondents’ gender. However, there was a significant difference in the perception on the causes of sexual harassment based on respondents’ age. Recommendations were made on the desirability of establishing counselling centres in Institutions of higher learning in Nigeria. Students need to be educated on the behaviours that predispose them to causes of sexual harassment (e.g. indecent dressing and late submission of assignment). Procedure for reportage of incidence of sexual harassment should also be made known to the students.
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Keywords
Patterns, Causes, Sexual Harassment, Nigerian Universities, Perception, Undergraduates
Citation
Aina, J. S., Yahaya, L. A. & Okesina, F. A. (2011). Patterns and causes of sexual harassment in Nigerian Universities as perceived by undergraduates of the university of Ilorin, Nigeria. Journal of Research in Education, 1(1), 120-136