ALL THAT FUSS ABOUT SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND ABUSE
The phrase "sexual harassment" is not a new phenomenon in our society. In fact, a lot has been said over the years about the subject matter with arguments and counter arguments about what is responsible for the trend. Students in higher institutions have often raised their voices, accusing lecturers, particularly the male ones of lecherous overtures and outright harassment. The lecturers on their own part have often cried foul, accusing these female students as being the ones who harass the helpless lecturers with their sensual and vulgar dressing and mannerisms. They further argue that the students make overtures at them, flaunting their private regions and sending signals of sensual invitation to the poor lecturers who have sometimes found themselves falling prey to the advances of their female victims. In the workplace, employees have accused their bosses of harassment and undue victimization. Even at the home-front, domestic helps have accused their mistress' husbands of harassment, whilst some daughters have actually been sexually abused by their fathers or step-fathers. More worrisome is the recent trend of paedophilia which though not common in our society, does exist with the potential to worsen if left unchecked. The question is, what is responsible for sexual harassment and sexual abuse? Who is to blame for this negative trend? How can this be curbed so that our youths will no longer be victims of abusive and lascivious adults in the society? My survey revealed the following about the subject matter:
Moral Decay in Our Society
This is the number one reason for sexual harassment. Our society has become so rotten that immorality has become entrenched in every facet of the system; from the academic to corporate, business, politics, government and even the home-front! People no longer care about ethics and moral values. The average man on the street has no conscience and thinks only of how to indulge his sensual cravings and insatiable lust. The sad part of this social menace is the fact that we have a system that makes it difficult for victims of harassment to seek justice and reprieve. The major way out of this logjam is moral reawakening through spiritual rejuvenation. Those who abuse others sexually are demonic and need deliverance from such bondage. They also need their heads examined and they need to be severely punished for perpetrating such evil.
Loose Dress-Code
Many of the people who get harassed are ladies who have a vulgar dress sense. They are everywhere: from the university campuses to corporate offices, business environments and of course social circles. In-as-much as fashion is dynamic, I believe that there is dignity is decency. Dressing half-nude and exposing one's cleavage, thighs, bellybutton and back region are not appropriate for women of style. The way you dress to the beach or pool is definitely not the same way you should dress to work. Wearing transparent or suggestive clothes is an obvious indication that one has no sense of decorum. Stop complaining of harassment when you are the one asking for it.
Lack of Discipline
No matter the excuse under the sun, I believe that sexual harassment is totally inexcusable. Guys who use the revealing fashion style of ladies as an excuse for harassment are simply incontinent and in-disciplined. Whether a lady is properly dressed or not, a desperate and lustful fellow will still harass her. Even if all the ladies in town choose to parade themselves stark naked, it is your prerogative to close your eyes, ignore them, or simply flee in another direction. Men need to have self-control and discipline their sensual appetite otherwise they will soon perish in the bait of sexual harassment. Painfully, some men are so perverted as to sexually abuse their children and wards.
Lack of Parental - Guidance
Parents have a pivotal role to play in protecting their children against sexual harassment. Mothers in particular need to imbibe in their children and wards, an appropriate sense of style. Proper education on etiquette and decorum, particularly for the girl child, is very necessary. For example, growing girls need to be taught how to sit and conduct themselves in the presence of others. They should also be properly dressed i.e., wearing trousers when playing on fields to avoid exposing their underwear. The youths should also be given early sexuality education so that they can shout for help or report any attempt at molestation and abuse.
Inability of the System to Punish Perpetrators
Indeed, where there is inadequate system of redress for victims of sexual harassment or abuse, such unbecoming activity will continue unabated in the society. Our African culture undermines the value of womanhood by omission or commission. Women are considered 'nobody' in the society, and their voices are rarely given any relevance or significance. Thus, even when she has been harassed or abused, society expects her to take it in her stride without complaining. Those who find the courage to report such harassment and abuse are faced with the bottlenecks and bureaucracy of the legal system or authorities which in most cases will not bring the perpetrators to book. It is only in the western world that we hear of people bagging jail terms for harassing or molesting women and children. We also hear of victims getting huge compensation. Our nation's judiciary needs a total cleansing for effectiveness whilst it is also imperative for government to set up appropriate commissions for the benefit and redress of victims of abuse and harassment.
Fear of Stigmatization
Our society is such that when someone complains of being harassed or molested, she is considered a nuisance; a troublemaker, who should be sidelined for crying out loud. There is a certain stigmatization on people who complain of having been harassed. This should not be so because sexual harassment is bad, mean and evil, and should be condemned in all its ramifications. Victims of this unwholesome activity should be bold enough to report and seek redress. They should however have their facts and ensure that they are not lazy and idle students or workers who simply want to implicate innocent males.
Poor Quality of Leadership
Most cases of sexual harassment have to do with people in positions of authority or leadership harassing their subordinates. This is a clear indication of the quality of leaders we have in all strata of the society. A lecturer, who victimizes his female student because she resisted harassment, is a typical example of a bad leader. So also, a boss who intimidates his subordinate for failing to succumb to his lewd overtures is another example of a bad leader. Leadership should be by example. Leaders should have a high sense of value, ethics, responsibility, integrity and discipline. It's about time people are properly screened before given positions of authority so that they don't abuse such positions for lustful gratification.
Status of the Victims
Victims of sexual harassment are often vulnerable because of their subordinate positions. A student or employee who is harassed could give in under pressure for fear of victimization. So also, a young person who is sexually abused could be helpless under certain circumstances because of the overpowering influence and physical strength of the perpetrator. This can be curbed through proper enlightenment of vulnerable groups. Institutions of learning for example, can have orientation programmes where students are enlightened about practical steps to take when harassed by their lecturers. Corporate bodies should also have visible structures to deal with, correct and redress issues of sexual harassment and where this is not possible, victims of such acts should resort to non-governmental organizations for mediation and where this fails, the media and judiciary should be fully explored for justice.
Avoid Vulnerable Positions
Any hard working student need not fear sexual harassment. Sensible lecturers know that it is difficult to victimize students who know their onions as far as academic excellence is concerned. Often times, they prefer loafers who will succumb to their demands, knowing full well that a lazy student is already a candidate for failure, more likely to fall victim because of an innate desire to pass examinations. So also, if your boss at the office knows you are a serious and indispensable worker, the tendency to harass you becomes minimal considering your invaluable contribution to the workforce. Ladies should also comport themselves decently. It is improper for example, for a maturing girl to bathe or parade herself half-nude in the presence of her brothers, cousins, uncle or father! Decency is the hallmark of nobility. Womanhood is honourable and must be carried with care and dignity.
The Way Out
Sexual harassment is a multifaceted crime against humanity. Perpetrators should realize that there is coming a day of reckoning and the law of karma is inescapable. The victims on their part should not cave in to pressure, but resist and fight harassment through all available means. They should also speak out and not be afraid of the consequence. There is always someone close by that you can report to, or confide in. Who knows, a simple verbal warning from the person to your harasser could be the solution to your problem. Finally, every individual called a human being should realize that sexual harassment and abuse is barbaric, unbecoming and illegal. People should stop behaving like animals. They should repent or face the wrath of God. I look forward to a time when the wrath of the law will be enough reason to check and stop sexual harassment and abuse.