THE STUDY OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT AMONG FEMALE STUDENTS IN COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, EKIADOLOR-BENIN

ABSTRACT

This research work was designed to examine and analyze sexual harassment among female students in the College of Education, Ekiadolor-Benin. Four (4) research questions were formulated and questionnaires were administered to one hundred (100) respondents in order to gather data for the research. Results of the research showed that most female students of the College of Education usually experience sexual harassment from the lecturers. Finally some recommendations were made by the researcher.  

TABLE OF CONTENT

CHAPTER ONE

Introduction

Background of the study

Objective of the study

Significance of the study

Limitation of the study

Scope of the study

Research questions

Definition of terms

CHAPTER TWO        

Review of related literature

CHAPTER THREE    

Research design and methodology

Research design

Population of the study

Instrument for data collection

Validation of data collection

Method of data collection

Method of data analysis

CHAPTER FOUR       

Presentation and discussion of result

CHAPTER FIVE         

Summary of findings, conclusion and recommendation

Conclusion

Recommendation

QUESTIONNAIRE     

REFERENCES  

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

          Sexual harassment is a serious problem for all student at all educational levels. Students in elementary and secondary schools as well as vocational schools, apprenticeship programmes, colleges and universities can be victims of sexual harassment. This problem is more common than you might think because many students are scared or too embarrassed to report sexual harassment.

          Harassment can include unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature. Sexual harassment also include intimidation, bullying or coercion of a sexual nature or the unwelcome or inappropriate promises of rewards in exchange for sexual favours. In most modern legal contexts, sexual harassment is illegal. Harassment does not have to be of a sexual nature, however, and can include offensive remarks about a person’s sex. For example, it is illegal to harass a woman by making offensive comments about women in general. Both victims and the harasser can either be a woman or a man, and the victim and the harasser can also be of the same se. although the law doesn’t prohibit simple teasing, offhand comments, or isolated incidents that are not very serious, harassment is illegal when it is so frequent or severe that it creates a hostile or offensive work environment or when it results in an adverse employment decision (such as the victims being fired or demoted).

          The harasser can be the victim’s supervisor, a supervisor in another area, a coworker or someone who is not an employee of the employer such as client or customer. It includes a range of bahaviour from seemingly mind (dubious discuss) transgressions and annoyances to actual sexual abuse or sexual assault. Sexual harassment is a form of illegal employment discrimination in many countries and is a form of abuse (sexual and psychological) and bullying for many businesses and other organization, preventing sexual harassment and defending employees from sexual harassment charges, have become key goals of legal decision-making.            

          Effects of sexual harassment can vary depending on the individual, and severity and duration of the harassment, often, sexual harassment incidents fall into the category of the “merely annoying”. However, many situations can and do have life altering effects particularly when they involve severe/chronic abuses and or retaliation against a victim who complains about it openly. Indeed psychologists and social workers report that severe/chronic sexual harassment can have the same psychological effects as rape or sexual assault. (Koss, 1987). For example in 1995, Judith Coflin committed suicide after chronic sexual harassment by her boss and co-workers.

          Moreover, every year, sexual harassment cost hundreds of millions of dollars is lost educationally and professionally, mostly for girls and women (Boland, 2002). However, the quantity of men implied in these conflicts is significant. Sexual harassment has reduced many students ability to participate in extracurricular activities or attend classes.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMS      

          Sexual harassment still exists in College of Education, Ekiadolor-Benin. It is also highlighted by the fact that in 2010, a computer science lecturer of the College was demoted from a higher office after he was accused of sexually harassing female students of the Department.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

          Against this background a study on which this research is based, was embarked upon in order to fully examine sexual harassment prevalence among female students in College of Education, Ekiadolor-Benin. Specifically, the study had the following objectives;

1.     To analyze the extent to which staff and students of College of Education, Ekiadolor-Benin defines and understands sexual harassment.

2.     To identify and examine the most valuable group in relation to cases of sexual harassment.

3.     To critically analyze the divergence of views in relation to sexual harassment cases.

4.     To identify and assess the institutional measures taken to avoid or curb sexual harassment.

5.     To identify and examine the effects sexual harassment on female students of the College of Education, Ekiadolor-Benin.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS  

          This study is out to answer some of the following questions;

1.     What is the nature and forms of sexual harassment in the College?

2.     What are student’s views on the rate of sexual harassment in the College?

3.     Are students satisfied with the measures taken by the College management to curb sexual harassment?  

4.     Are female students more sexually harassed than male students in the College?

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY  

          The importance of this study is that it helps to call for urgent research into the prevalence, and effect of sexual harassment on the classroom interaction and performance of female students in tertiary institutions of learning.

          It is also hoped that this study will assist the College management in making decision management in making decision and mapping out strategic policies towards cracking the ugly trend of sexual harassment among female students in the College.

DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY

          This study is done within the premises of College of Education, Ekiadolor-Benin. This study is also limited to the investigation of sexual harassment among female students of the College. The findings of this study is limited to the College of Education, Ekiadolor-Benin.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

Sexual: Connected with the physical activity of sex.

Harass: To annoy or worry someone by putting pressure on them or saying or doing unpleasant things to them.

Prevalence: The act of existing or becoming very common at a particular time r in a particular place.

Coercion: The action of making somebody do something that they do no want to do.