Sex-for-grades as pandemic on campuses

The fact that sexual gender-based violence (SGBV) exists in our tertiary institutions cannot be overemphasised. It is a pandemic that may gradually be accepted as a norm if not nipped in the bud. The big questions are: who will bell the cat? Are the victims bold enough to speak out? If yes, who do they confide in?

In most cases, the victims report to another perpetrator who would either sweep it under the carpet or threaten the victims further with expulsion or make the victim stay longer than necessary on campus.

As we are aware, education is an integral and normal part of women/girls’ lives. Will it be proper to allow them to be admitted into a corrupt system – where sex for grades abounds? The answer is a capital NO.

Some victims encourage the naive freshman into giving in to sex for grades believing that it is an acceptable practice in the institutions.

The troubling reality is that both young female students and married ones are victims of this disturbing pandemic. With sextortion on our campuses, it becomes unconducive for learning.

Nevertheless, there are more unreported cases of sex-for-grades in Nigerian universities than the reported cases.

It is also worth noting that sextortion exists in our secondary schools. Another reason some students prefer to be silent is when they see the fruitlessness of another student’s reports. Sometimes too, the victims are intimidated into withdrawing the petition and forced to admit that they raised a false alarm.

What is the way forward? I would recommend the establishment of a proper reporting channel. Such channels should be independent of the management of the institutions. If found guilty after investigations, decisive measures should be taken against the perpetrators. Above all, the students should be academically prepared to read and pass their exams. In most cases, the weak students are prone to molestation and victimisation.

Glorious Amalu-Jack, Abuja

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