CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Sexual abuse and exploitation are a violation of human rights and a public

health problem with significant consequences for global health and development

(WHO,2017). Sexual exploitation involves a person profiting from the use of

another person’s body sexually to benefit financially or otherwise. Any payment

(through cash or form favor such as a better grade) for sexual services is

considered to constitute sexual exploitation (WHO, 2016). Sexual Exploitation and

Abuse (SEA) represents a fundamental failure of protection. It brings harm to those

we are mandated to protect and it jeopardizes the reputation of our institutions, and

organizations (WHO, 2017). World Health Organization (WHO) is committed to

protecting vulnerable populations in the countries we serve from SEA at the hands

of WHO staff and collaborators or stakeholders (WHO, 2020). Sexual exploitation

is actual or attempted abuse of a position of vulnerability, power, or trust, for

sexual purposes, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily, socially, or

politically from the sexual exploitation of another. Sexual abuse is the actual or

threatened physical intrusion of a sexual nature, whether by force or under unequal

or coercive conditions. SEA also includes sexual relations with a child, in any
context, defined as a human being below the age of 18 years (WHO, 2017). A

model has been created to address the occurrence of rape, exploitation, and abuse

on campuses Dastile, (2004); the point of departure of this model is that the

convergence in time and space between the motivated offender and the potential

victim in the absence of a capable guardian or guardians provides the opportunity

for sexual harassment and, more direly, the rape of female students on the

campuses of tertiary institutions. The model assumes various victim-related and

offender-related risk factors, institutional risk factors, as well as societal risk

factors (Dastile, 2004). The perpetrator can be male or female, an adult or a minor,

and can act for their gain or for the benefit of various forms of violence that are

used by perpetrators of sexual exploitation to maintain their hold over their victims

and force them to engage in prostitution. In sexual exploitation situation, the

person being exploited is dependent on or under the control of another person, so

their consent to sexual activities is not valid. Therefore, an adolescent who is being

exploited or who is dependent on their abuser is unable to consent to sexual

activities. Adolescents and young women who are made to provide sexual services

are often lured by the jet-set lifestyle, introduced to them by their abusers and the

social gratification available to them (WHO, 2019). Glamorous all-inclusive

parties, designer clothing, large quantities of makeup and jewelry, riding around in

luxury cars, trips, etc. are all methods of manipulation used by perpetrators to
seduce and mislead their victims, who then become easier to manipulate and even

dependent on their abuser. South African society is still infused with dominating

perceptions of patriarchy, superior masculinity, and unequal gender roles where

men dominate and women are the ‘inferior gender.’ These perceptions perpetuate

the victimization of women in many ways, particularly sexual abuse, and

universities are unfortunately not exempt from this phenomenon (UNAIDS,

2016).As part of ongoing efforts to create and maintain an environment that

prevents sexual exploitation and abuse and promotes the implementation of the

Code of Conduct, the current Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Nigeria

Prevention and Response against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA) and Sexual

Harassment (SH) Action Plan has been designed (FAO, 2018). Till (1990), came up

with five types of sexual exploitation and abuse. These are general harassment,

which is behavior that shows an insulting, degrading, or sexist attitude; seductive

behavior, which is making inappropriate or offensive sexual advances; sexual

bribery, which is asking for sexual activity or other sex-related behavior in

exchange for a promise or reward; sexual coercion, which is getting someone to do

something sexual by threatening or punishing them; and sexual imposition or

assault. Several other recent studies (Nwagbara, 2011, Imonikhe, Aluede, and

Idogho, 2012; Omonijo et al., 2013, Taiwo, Omole, and Omole, 2014) also found

that sexual harassment is common in Nigerian universities and colleges. Omonijo

looked at three faith-based private universities and found that many students did

not tell the officials about sexual harassment, even though it happened a lot. In

Nigeria, Owoaje and Olusola-Taiwo found that most of the women who answered

their survey (69.8%) had been sexually harassed by male peers and teachers at

several tertiary schools. Of these, 48.2% were sexually harassed physically, and

32.2% were asked to do something sexual in exchange for good grades. Imonikhe,

Idogho, and Aluede (2011) did a study with 200 professors and 200 students at

tertiary schools in Edo State. They found that most of the people they talked to

agreed that sexual harassment is common in these places. They also found that

"teachers and students in tertiary institutions reported a wide range of sexual

harassment" (Aluede, 2011). In the same way, Okeke's (2011) study on sexual

harassment of undergraduate women in Nigeria's Anambra State found that 64% of

the women had been touched inappropriately by a faculty member, 71% had been

given inappropriate gestures, and 80% had inappropriate jokes told in front of

them. Omonijo et al. (2013) looked at how common sexual harassment was at

three faith-based private colleges in Ogun State, South-West Nigeria. Using

recorded data from 2008 to 2012 and the results of a survey of female students and

staff, they found that most female students had been sexually harassed on campus,

but many of them did not tell the school about it. Taiwo et al. (2014) looked into

how often students in five higher education institutions in the southwest of Nigeria
were sexually harassed and what that meant for their mental health. From a group

of 2500 students, they found that 97 percent of respondents knew about sexual

harassment, and 98.8 percent of these cases involved male professors sexually

harassing female students. The people who answered the survey also said that

poverty (55%), dressing provocatively (20%), and male teachers' lust (12%) were

the main reasons for sexual harassment in these institutions. But because not all

cases of sexual harassment in college are reported, we don't know much about how

common it is. (Cortina & Wasti, 2005). Instead of telling someone, victims would

keep quiet or avoid the harasser out of fear or shame. According to Dziech and

Weiner's book Lecherous Professor, Smit and Plessis (2011) quote, "sexual

harassment by university professors of their female students is a fact of campus life

and that the silencing thereof is part of the reason for the historical invisibility of

the problem: silence, promoted by the fear that somehow the victims are

responsible for the sexual harassment in some way or another, and/or the fact that

students know they are subordinate.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Amosun, Ige, and Ajala (2010), stated that sexual abuse is a social problem

that has spread and increased rapidly in our educational institutions; this social

maladaptation is considered an issue of serious concern as it adversely affects the

lives and performance of students as well as the harmonious functioning of the

entire structure of society. Sexual abuse and other associated problems are inimical

to the survival and effective functioning of human societies. A significant number

of abortions, unwanted pregnancies, contraction of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

(STDs), and untimely deaths have been ascribed to the outcomes of sexual abuse

and exploitation. Duru, C, et al, (2018), stated different forms of sexual abuse/

exploitation in tertiary institutions which are rape, sex for favor, incest, exposure to

pornography, penetration with digits, and fondling/grabbling of sensitive body

parts. Therefore, this study intends to address this pressing problem, improving

prevention efforts, supporting services, and fostering a safer and more respectful

educational environment.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The objectives of the study are to;

1. Assess the knowledge of sexual abuse and exploitation among final-year

medical and health students in University of Maiduguri.

2. Determine the prevalence of sexual exploitation and abuse among final-

year medical and health students in the university of Maiduguri.

3. Determine the services available for prevention and control of sexual

abuse and exploitation among students in university of Maiduguri.

 4. Assess the attitude of final year medical and health students towards

assessing sexual exploitation and abuse services in university of

Maiduguri.

5. Make recommendations on how to prevent and control sexual abuse and

exploitation of students in University of Maiduguri.

1.4 Research Questions

1. What is the level of knowledge of sexual abuse and exploitation among

final-year medical and health students at University of Maiduguri?

2. How common do final year Medical and Health students experience

sexual exploitation and abuse in University of Maiduguri?

3. What are the services available for the control and prevention of sexual

exploitation and abuse among Students in university of Maiduguri?

4. What are the attitude of final-year Medical and Health students towards

assessing services available for sexual exploitation and abuse in

university of Maiduguri?

5. What are the recommended ways to prevent control sexual abuse and

exploitation of students in the University of Maiduguri?

1.5 Significance of the Study

 The result of this study will be significant to the University of Maiduguri

Guidance Counselling Department in developing strategies for creating awareness

among Medical and Health students and other departments at large. These study

findings will help to reveal the magnitude of sexual abuse, and the prevalent

patterns of sexual abuse. Also, the short and long-term health and mental

consequences of sexual abuse will be revealed which will in turn guide our

policymakers in developing appropriate policies that will help curb this menace in

our institutions of higher learning. This study is capable of correcting certain

abnormalities such as the prevalence of sexual exploitation and abuse among final-

year students, and the attitude of final-year students towards assessing sexual

exploitation and abuse services and providing recommendations to prevent and

control sexual exploitation and abuse among students and final year students in

university of Maiduguri, Borno state.

1.6 Scope of the Study

The study is delimited to determine the Awareness of Sexual Exploitation

and Abuse among Final Year Medical and Health Students of the University of

Maiduguri. The study will focus on students of the College of Medical Sciences,

Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Pharmacy, and Physical and Health Education

Departments University of Maiduguri, Borno state. The study covers the areas of
Medical and Health students of the University of Maiduguri, Borno State on

awareness, Knowledge, control, and prevention strategies.

1.7 Operational Definition of Terms

The following terms are operationally defined:

1. Awareness: - is the knowledge and understanding about sexual

exploitation and abuse happening or exists among final year students or a

concept about knowing, perceiving, and being cognizant of events.

2. Sexual Exploitation: - Is an attempted abuse of the position of

vulnerability trust for sexual purposes concerning Affected final year

students, Persons, including, but not limited to, profiting monetarily,

socially, or politically from the sexual exploitation of another.

3. Sexual Abuse: - is the threat of physical or psychological intrusion of a

sexual nature be it force or unequal or coercive conditions of final year

students.

4. Final year students: - are Students in their last year of studies that is soon

to complete a degree in a recognized university.

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