Patterns, Perpetrators and Circumstances Leading to Sexual Harassment among Female Undergraduate Students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria

ABSTRACT Background: Sexual harassment (SH) is an unwanted and disturbing public health concern in higher institutions globally. In this study, female undergraduate students at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Nigeria, were evaluated for sexual harassment patterns, perpetrators, and circumstances. Methods: The study, which involved female undergraduate students, was carried out in March/April 2021 at Sokoto. It was a descriptive cross-sectional study design. The respondents (232) were selected by multistage sampling technique. A self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire served as the research tool. In addition to using descriptive statistics, the data was presented in tables. Result: Unwanted touch (Physical SH 56 [24.1%]), unwanted referring to babe, doll or honey (Verbal SH 56 [24.1%]), and unwanted sexually suggestive stares (Non-verbal SH 56 [24.1%]) were the common patterns of sexual harassment experienced by the respondents. Classmates, 57 (55.9%), and friends of victims (e.g., from different departments or levels), 28 (27.5%), were the commonest perpetrators of sexual harassment. Dating [37 (35.9%)] and visitation [26 (25.2%)] were among the commonest circumstances leading to sexual harassment of the respondent. Conclusion: Unwanted touch (physical SH), unwanted referring to babe, doll or honey (verbal SH) and unwanted sexually suggestive stares (non-verbal SH) were the common patterns of sexual harassment experienced by the respondents. Classmates were the commonest perpetrators, and dating was the commonest circumstance leading to sexual harassment of the respondent. Sexual harassment policy should be strengthened by the government/school authority to set severe punishments for perpetrators of sexual harassment. Dating and visitation requests by male students should be rejected by female students to avoid sexual harassment.