The House of Representatives has passed a bill aimed at preventing, prohibiting, and addressing sexual harassment of students in tertiary educational institutions, along with related matters.
Having successfully passed its third reading, the bill proposes a penalty of up to 14 years in prison for individuals convicted of these offences. Additionally, it stipulates a five-year prison sentence or a fine of five million naira for institutional heads who fail to act on student complaints of sexual harassment.
While explaining the intent of the bill to journalists, the Spokesperson of the House and sponsor of the bill, Mr. Akin Rotimi, said it is enacted to promote and protect ethical standards in tertiary education, the sanctity of the student-educator fiduciary relationship of authority, dependency, trust and respect for human dignity in tertiary educational institutions.
He said that the bill aims at “Providing for the protection of students against sexual harassment by educators in tertiary educational institutions;
“Prevention of sexual harassment of students by educators in tertiary educational institutions; and redressal of complaints of sexual harassment of students by educators in tertiary educational institutions.
“An educator shall be guilty of committing an offence or a felony of sexual harassment if he/she – Engages in any form of unwelcome physical contact or verbal conduct of a sexual nature with a student or prospective student, or demands such conduct, regardless of consent; or Creates a hostile, offensive, or intimidating environment for a student by making unsolicited or inappropriate sexual advances, or by requesting sexual favours; or
“Directs, facilitates, assists, or encourages another person to engage in any act of sexual harassment as defined under this Bill; or
“Displays, sends, or distributes any form of sexually explicit or suggestive material, including images, videos, or objects, to a student through any medium; or
“Makes verbal or non-verbal remarks, comments, or gestures of a sexual nature, or any remarks or conduct intended to degrade, humiliate, or body shame a student based on their physical appearance; or
“Engages in stalking, persistent following, or any form of unwanted attention directed at a student, which creates an atmosphere of fear or discomfort.”
Also Read: UNICAL Professor Denies Sexual Harassment
According to the piece of legislation, “Any person who commits any of the offences or acts specified in Clause 4 (1), (2) and (3) of this Bill is guilty of an offence of felony and shall, on conviction, be sentenced to an imprisonment term of up to 14 years but not less than 5 years, without an option of a fine.”
The bill also provides that “An administrative head of an institution who fails to comply with the provisions of sub-clauses (1) and (2) of this Clause of this Bill is guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a minimum fine of N5,000,000 or imprisonment for 5 years, or both.”
Similarly, “Any person who commits any of the offences or acts specified in Clause 4 (4), (5) and (6) of this Bill is guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to imprisonment term of up to 5 years but not less than 2 years, without an option of a fine,” Mr. Rotimi added.
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