By Damola Kola-Dare
WHEN Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Musa Aliyu, raised concerns about the rise in cases of sexual harassment in primary and secondary schools, it was discomfiting and worrisome. He spoke during a national stakeholders’ engagement on sexual harassment prevention, which the commission organised in collaboration with the Gender Mobile Initiative (GMI).
The primary and secondary schools are crucial aspects of education which should not be toyed with in the moral and cognitive development of a child. So, when sexual harassment arising from a weak moral compass is prevalent at such levels of learning, swift action must be taken to ensure the hopes and future aspirations of the much-vaunted leaders of tomorrow are not truncated.
The ICPC chairman said a major way to address the situation decisively is through “a consistent, persistent, focused and united campaign. It is sadly interesting to note that sexual harassment, though more notorious in tertiary institutions, is quite rampant in primary and secondary institutions too,” he said.
Going by Aliyu’s allegation, the story of 14-year-old Keren-Happuch Akpagher, a boarding pupil of a school at Lugbe, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), still comes to mind. She reportedly died on June 22, 2021, following a sepsis infection she contracted as a result of a condom left inside her by a killer rapist. The case is still in court.
In 2019, the Federal Government, launched its first National Sex Offender Register to name and shame perpetrators. Checks revealed that only Lagos State has been active in naming and shaming sexual offenders, while only 10 out of 36 states, including the FCT, have adopted the law.
They include Lagos, Ekiti, Akwa Ibom, Ogun, Edo, Kaduna, Abia, Adamawa, Bauchi, and Bayelsa. Only four states—Lagos, Ekiti, Akwa-Ibom, and Edo—have so far published full details of the offenders. Sadly, these registers are not updated regularly, thereby defeating the aim for which it was implemented in the first place.
It is believed that sexual harassment is forcing many Nigerian girls out of secondary schools, contributing to the already alarming figure of out-of-school children, especially among girls.
Observers and parents have not only bemoaned the moral decadence in society and faulted the over-exposure of children to too much indecent content on the internet, they also seek swift intervention as well as stringent sanctions on perpetrators, whether teachers or pupils.
Vice Chancellor, African School of Economics, Abuja, Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji, who described the situation as “heartrending”, believes the society is not ready to address the issue headlong. Reason? The don noted that the continuous promotion and celebration of indecent content in the entertainment industry will hamper getting solutions.
He sought the overhauling of the entertainment industry and purging of entertainers that glorify casual sex, undue celebration of the female body and production of sexual movies. Adedimeji added that music and skits have to be restrained by law. The Vice-Chancellor stated that the lawlessness that pervades the entertainment industry where everything is centred on human genitalia has to be confronted head-on.
He said: “It is heartrending that the situation of sexual harassment and immorality has degenerated to this level in our society. Yet, it is not surprising as we are reaping what we sowed. “Sexual harassment, misconduct and immorality among pupils can be attributed to various factors that are mainly sociological. These are exposure to explicit content in the traditional and new media, normalisation of casual sex in the society, peer pressure, zero/poor parenting, changing moral values, socio-economic pressures and access to the new technologies.
“Certainly, this situation portends grave danger to the society. It is already manifesting in single parenthood, ‘baby mamaism’, high rate of divorce, sexual violence as well as unbridled sexual freedom.
“If Nigerians are ready to address this problem, we wouldn’t be busy pursuing shadows and promoting the nonsense in modern entertainment. The entertainment industry has to be overhauled and all these entertainers that glorify casual sex, commodify the female body, produce sexual movies, music and skits have to be restrained by law. The lawlessness that pervades the entertainment industry where everything is centred on human genitalia has to be confronted head-on.
“Sexual offences have to be nipped in the bud and those found guilty of sexual crimes should be punished. Culture must be reinvented to make people see females as human beings, not just sex objects that they are portrayed as.
“We have to go back to the basics and return to the values of decency, self-control, modest dressing and abstinence that used to define us, not the fake condom wisdom of today.
“Our cultures are in sync with the positions of Plato and Aristotle. While Plato emphasised self-control and moderate sexual desires, Aristotle considered sexual pleasure as natural but advocated moderation. It is this moderation that has been thrown out of the window and the youngsters are learning fast from the adults.”
Coordinator, Child Protection Network (CPN), Lagos State Chapter, Mrs. Ronke Oyelakin, noted that the root of the problem must be thoroughly addressed through strategic measures. She said though there are policies against sexual offences, implementation and enforcement are weak. Oyelakin advocated more awareness, especially at the grassroots.
“The SDG Goal 17 partnership for the goals is clear and it will help all state and non-state actors to ensure they tackle this menace before it eats down the system. We must be tactical and strategic in doing this. Firstly, the root causes.
“Sexual harassment is a serious problem for students at all educational levels, which includes nursery, primary, secondary, as well as vocational schools, apprenticeship programmes, colleges and universities. It can be described as gender-based discrimination, victimisation or deprivation that is sufficiently serious. It interferes with or limits students’ ability to participate in or benefit from the institution’s educational programmes.
“It presents itself in power-based differentials, which manifest in the creation of a hostile environment that breeds retaliation and victimisation. Sexual harassment can be in three forms, viz: sexual harassment of a student by another student, sexual harassment of a staff member by a student, and sexual harassment of a student by a staff member. It can happen to girls and boys. “Sexual harassers can be fellow students, teachers, principals, janitors, coaches and other school officials. It can be requests for sexual favours or unwelcome sexual behaviour that is bad enough or happens often enough to make a student feel uncomfortable, scared or confused and that interferes with his or her schoolwork or ability to participate in extracurricular activities or attend classes.”
For Dr. Fisayo Adebimpe, a Clinical Psychologist at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, there is a need to create awareness among pupils through psychoeducation classes. She said they should be able to give appraisal and feedback of their experiences, adding that most times, avenues to vent are limited. She urged parents to be up and doing and be responsible to their children, by asking questions and also being emotionally sensitive to their children’s needs.
She said: “The prevalence of sexual harassment at the primary and secondary levels is quite low compared to the tertiary level. Though most of these cases are mostly under-reported due to various reasons, such as stigmatisation of the victim involved, some victims prefer to be silent in order to protect themselves against public criticism, which eventually might result into bullying. Some eventually relocate victims to different locations. Parents/guardians also express high emotions when found in such situations.
“A lot of people are suffering one mental health challenge or the other. People are not really paying cognisance to this. So, when we see certain bizarre behaviour among the populace, some of the perpetrators fall in these categories while others have deviant behaviours.
“There is need for collaboration with all relevant sectors in relation to the menace in the society. Students living with disabilities should also be included in the sensitization and awareness programme. Every child, both male and female, should also be put into consideration without preference. There is now public outcry because a lot of people are becoming aware of sexual harassment and the long-term psychological effect it has on child well-being and development.
Deputy National President, National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN), Chief Adeolu Ogunbanjo, said: “It is rather unfortunate to hear about this – sexual harassment becoming prevalent in primary and secondary schools. That is very worrisome and condemnable. But that should now make us think about how, at the primary level, we should now embrace Civic Education and examination should be administered on it. That should help. All eyes must be particularly on the schools. For secondary schools, guardians and counselors now have much to do to address the situation.
“By the time morals are also taught by teachers, there will be some restraints. Teachers should also be closely watched. Again, the Teaching Service Commission, through Quality Assurance, should now start doing their jobs.”
A parent, Mrs. Oluwafunmilayo Adefemi, called for strict monitoring of children, particularly censoring what they watch on the television, the Internet and social media. She noted that social media applications contain risqué content and narratives.
Experts and observers reckon that sexual harassment will continue to be a problem in Nigerian schools if perpetrators are let off the hook without severe punishment.
According to them, letting offenders go scot-free without severe sanctions will embolden them to continue in the acts.
Ogunbanjo noted that principals should work hand in hand with heads of department for strict monitoring and ensuring teachers who are caught are duly sanctioned and prosecuted. Offenders must be punished because minors are involved and of course, it is unbecoming of a teacher to get involved in that sort of act.
According to him, perpetrators, no matter their status, should face the wrath of the law.
