Nigerian Senate has passed a bill prescribing 14-year jail term, without an option of fine, for educators or anyone found guilty of sexually harassing students in schools.
The bill, which seeks to provide stricter punishment for sexual misconduct in academic institutions, comes in response to several reported cases of sexual harassment involving teachers and lecturers in schools across the country.
It outlines a comprehensive list of offences that constitute sexual harassment and sets out clear procedures for complaint and prosecution.
The proposed legislation, as a concurrent bill from the House of Representatives, is titled “A Bill to Prevent, Prohibit and Redress Sexual Harassment of Students in Educational Institutions and Other Places” and was presented by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele.
Under the new provisions, any educator who engages in sexual intercourse with a student, demands sex from a student or prospective student, or creates a hostile environment through sexual advances or intimidation, commits a felony and shall face severe punishment upon conviction.
The bill also criminalises physical contact and verbal gestures of a sexual nature. Acts such as touching or pinching a student’s breasts, hips, lips, or buttocks, hugging, kissing, or rubbing any sensual part of the student’s body and sending sexually explicit pictures or videos through any medium are listed as punishable offences.
Other prohibited behaviours include whistling, winking, stalking, or making sexually suggestive comments about a student’s physique.
In addition to penalising offenders, the bill provides clear mechanisms for reporting and prosecuting cases of sexual harassment.
It stipulates that a written petition may be filed by the victim, a guardian, lawyer, or any person interested in the student’s welfare.
Such petitions may be submitted to the Nigeria Police Force, Attorney-General, or the Independent Sexual Harassment Committee of the affected institution.
The proposed law also mandates institutions to establish Independent Sexual Harassment Prohibition Committees responsible for investigating and determining cases.
Criminal proceedings are deemed to commence once a charge is filed in court and served on the accused educator.
The bill empowers both students and educators to seek judicial review at the High Court if dissatisfied with the committee’s final decision.
The Senate also introduced penalties for administrative heads who fail to refer reported cases of sexual harassment for investigation.
Any head found guilty of negligence in this regard shall face a fine of not less than N5 million or a minimum of two years imprisonment, or both.
Lawmakers say the move is part of ongoing efforts to create safer learning environments and to protect students from predatory behaviour in Nigeria’s schools and higher institutions.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
