March 28, 2024

10 thoughts on “Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Educational Institutions Prohibition Bill, 2016

  1. There’s need to magnify this Act to cover sexual harassment generally which include sexual harassment in the tertiary institution, in the work place and in the community. In UK, Australia even South Africa and other countries in Asia this is what is obtainable enacting legislation in piece meal is untidy, hasty and a farce. I called upon the sponsored to harmonize it accordingly.

  2. I agree entirely with your view and that of Mohammed on the need to expand the scope of this bill. In addition, it should include our secondary school children. I have submitted a memorandun to that effect

  3. Since the Bill is about the commission of a serious crime which is punishable without an option of fine the proof of same should be beyond reasonable doubt,as in other crimes,otherwise it will easily be abused by ladies who may even use it as a blackmail against male lecturers because of the ease of proof.And the protection should also be extended to male students as sexual harassment is not exclusive to the male lecturers or administrative staff.

  4. Truly, if this bill comes into exiistence, it will help to curb a lot of social ills and indecent behavior in our tetiary institutions. As a matter of fact, in considering this bill, we must not lean solely on the instructors and administrative officers of our tetiary institutions. But recourse must also be had to the indecent manner some students dress. There are some students who prefer to dress in such awkward manner like being half nude or exposing a large chunk of their breast lines thereby sexually arousing any male educator into whose office they may go for some form of assistance.
    In such situation, this may be termed sexual harassment against such male educator expressedly or impliedly.
    Instances abound where female educators also harass male students. And an attempt at any resistence, often lead such male student to one form of threat to another.
    Authorities of Tetiary institutions must strictly enforce the law on dress code .

    These are some areas I think, the bill should along look at and make some inclusions by way of amplification.

  5. The Bill is a welcome development. I happened to be a victim of sexual harassment and I know I suffered a lot while in the University for this. But I still believe that they also fail to understand that some students throw themselves at these lecturers which makes them feel they can have anyone they want. There should also be made provision for students who would now use this as tool to punish innocent lecturers.
    I support Mohammed ‘s view. The sexual harassment at work places is on the increase too. This should be looked into.

  6. I think the Bill should also look into indecent dressing that attracts some young lecturers from being a prey into the hands of their students in order to strike a balance between the two.

  7. This Bill is much welcomed but I think it is one sided. Student also do harass, influence, intimidate and abuse educators sexually using diverse means and methods. They suggest, insist and lure educators into such acts. How do we reconcile this. How do we ensure that students dress properly and responsibly and importantly take their studies seriously so they don’t impose themselves on lecturers? How do we ensure that the schools authority discipline/deal with erring educators and students who violate the schools regulations by indulging in such acts?

  8. Again, sexual harassment should not be tied to age. The way the bill is couged, the essense is already defeated if its application or enforcement is limited to victims under 18 years of age. Experience has shown that sexual harassment is no respecter of age, age has never been, it is not, it will never be a consideration for sexual harassment, both adult and young are prone and susceptible to this manace. The qualification of age (under 18) should be expunged from the proposed bill

  9. This is a welcomed development and long over due. However the legislation in implementation will leave the victims short changed. The responsibility created by the legislation falls short of what is tenable in other countries with similar legislations. The legislation should cover a wider group as suggested by @ Mohammed. It should include sexual harassment in all educational institutions and workplace. Consent by a student, whether male or female in the educational institutions should be immaterial (strict liability ) because of the obvious strong fiduciary / trusted relationship already in existence and imputed. Also immaterial that the student did the asking/ pursuing. Age should be made immaterial as betwee a lecturer and a student. Consent should be a defence in the workplace. Upon proof, the educator should be dismissed and illegible to teach anywhere in Nigeria.

  10. This bill is a welcome development. the bill should be able to cover educational institutions, such as primary, higher, tertiary and other professional institutions of learning, and, even extend to the working environment. in the definition of SH it should also include student Harassing it’s fellow student.

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