Sexual violence is a serious problem in #Nigerianuniversities. A 2019 study by the Nigerian Women's Rights and Health Project found that 72% of female students in Nigerian universities have experienced sexual harassment. Of these, only 10% have reported the harassment to the authorities.
Sexual violence is a serious violation of #humanrights and dignity, and it has devastating consequences for the survivors, their families, and society. There are many reasons why victims of #sexualviolence in Nigerian universities are afraid to come forward. These include:
The fear of retaliation: The perpetrator may be a powerful figure, such as a professor or lecturer, and the victim may fear that reporting the assault will damage their academic career.
The stigma associated with sexual violence: In many cultures, sexual violence is still seen as a taboo subject. Victims may be afraid of being blamed or shamed for the assault.
The lack of trust in the authorities: Victims may not believe that the authorities will take their case seriously or that they will get justice.
The lack of effective policies and mechanisms to prevent, investigate, and punish sexual violence on campus.
The lack of support services: Victims may not know where to go for help or they may not be able to afford the cost of counseling or other services.
The influence of cultism and peer pressure, which encourages violence and aggression among male students.
The culture of silence around sexual violence in Nigerian universities allows the problem to persist. Perpetrators are rarely held accountable, and victims continue to suffer in silence.
Statistics that emphasize the rampant problem of sexual violence in #Nigerian universities:
A 2016 study by the University of Lagos found that 25% of female students had been sexually assaulted on campus.
A 2017 study by the #NationalHumanRightsCommission found that 1 in 3 female students in Nigeria had experienced sexual harassment.
A 2020 report by #AmnestyInternational documented 210 cases of conflict-related sexual violence committed in 2020, including rape and forced marriage of women and girls by Boko Haram and other armed groups.
A 2020 report by #HumanRightsWatch highlighted the case of a student who died after being raped in a church in Benin City, Edo State, in May 2020, sparking a national outcry and prompting the authorities to declare a national emergency over rape and sexual violence.
These statistics are just a few examples of the many studies that have shown that sexual violence is a serious problem in Nigerian universities. More needs to be done to address this problem and to create a safe environment for all students.
How to address the problem of sexual violence in Nigerian universities:
Educate students about consent and sexual violence: This should start at a young age and continue throughout their education.
Create a culture of respect and support for #victims: This means making it clear that sexual violence will not be tolerated and victims will be believed and supported.
Provide support services for victims, such as counseling and academic support: This can help victims heal from the trauma of sexual violence and continue their education.
Hold perpetrators accountable: This means ensuring that they are investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
At Injustice is Real (IIR), we are deeply concerned about the increasing reports of #rape and #sexualassault in Nigerian institutions. These crimes are heinous and must be stopped. The victims of these crimes deserve justice and support.
We are calling on the right authorities to review cases of rape in institutions, investigate and suspend where necessary, and make sure the institutions are safe for future generations to thrive. We urge the following authorities to take action:
The Federal Ministry of Education: The #FederalMinistryofEducation is responsible for all institutions in Nigeria. We urge the Minister of Education to direct all institutions to review their policies and procedures on sexual assault and to take steps to ensure that these policies are effectively implemented.
The #NationalUniversitiesCommission (NUC): The #NUC is the regulatory body for institutions in #Nigeria. We urge the NUC to take steps to ensure that all institutions have clear and effective policies on #sexualassault and that these policies are enforced.
The police: The #Nigerianpoliceforce is responsible for investigating crimes, including rape and sexual assault. We urge the #police to take all reports of sexual assault seriously and to investigate them thoroughly.
The courts: The courts are responsible for ensuring that #justice is served for victims of crime. We urge the courts to take all cases of sexual assault seriously and to hand down appropriate sentences to perpetrators.
We also call on all Nigerians to speak out against #rape and #sexualassault. We must create a culture where victims feel safe to come forward and report these crimes. We must also hold perpetrators accountable for their actions. A zero sexual assault institution is achievable, it begins when you and I (we) create a safe environment for all students in institutions.
(If you or someone you know has been the victim of sexual assault, please know that you are not alone. There are resources available to help you reach out to www.injusticeisreal.org)
Comments