Prof. Olumuyiwa Odusanya, vice chancellor of Lagos State University of Science and Technology, or LASUSTECH, has voiced alarm over the growing number of sexual harassment incidents occurring on campus. Speaking during the university’s labor leaders’ monthly Executive Management Meeting (EMM) in the Council Chamber on the Ikorodu Campus, Prof. Odusanya stated: “Numerous studies conducted in Nigeria indicate that over 50% of university students have been victims of sexual abuse. Our school needs to be free of the epidemic of sexual harassment.....CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE
LASUSTECH will not tolerate any kind of sexual harassment. Any actions that jeopardize the security and welfare of our employees and students will not be tolerated.
Professor Odusanya referenced Section 264 of the Lagos State Criminal Law of 2021, which deals with undesirable circumstances that impact academic and employment performance.
He noted that sexual harassment include physical, verbal, non-verbal conduct, stalking, and rape. According to him, the common forms of sexual harassment include insensitive sexual jokes, brushing of body parts in an unwelcome manner, and persistent demands for sex by lecturers/students.
Blaming the causes of sexual harassment on campus to various factors, and highlighting the need for collective action to prevent it, Prof. Odusanya informed, “The harms of sexual harassment are numerous, including fear, mental health issues, shame, guilt, and STI/HIV. LASUSTECH is committed to creating a safe and conducive environment for all stakeholders.
“The university’s policy statement on sexual harassment include continuous sensitization of the university community, zero tolerance for sexual harassment, prompt and confidential investigation of complaints, administrative action, sanction, and remedy as well as encouragement of high ethical standards.”
