EROTIC HARASSMENT IN WORKPLACE, SOCIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPLICATIONS

 

Folakemi Ohunakin¹*, Anthonia Adenike Adeniji², Adewale Omotayo Osibanjo³, Oluseye Olaleke Ogunnaike⁴, Odunayo Paul Salau⁵, Friday Abaye Igbadume⁶

¹Dr, Covenant University, Nigeria, folakemi.ohunakin@stu.cu.edu.ng

²Dr, Covenant University, anthonia.adeniji@covenantuniversity.edu.ng

³Dr, Covenant University, ade.osibanjo@covenantuniversity.edu.ng

⁴Dr, Covenant University olaleke.ogunnaike@covenantuniversity.edu.ng

⁵Dr, Covenant University, odunayo.salau@covenantuniversity.edu.ng

⁶Mr. Covenant University, honesty_crystal@yahoo.com

*Corresponding Author

Abstract

This study examines the experience of faculty and staff of a Nigerian public university in relation to erotic harassment otherwise known as sexual harassment. The study intends to identify the forms of sexual harassment that are prevalent in the workplace, the causes, psychological and sociological implications. To achieve these objectives, data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. The measuring instrument with existing reliability coefficient from previous studies was used for collecting the primary data, while secondary data were obtained from existing literature. Psychological and sociological effects of erotic harassment were established through the in-depth interview conducted with the victims of such harassment. The population for this study consists of 395 employees working in a University environment. A total number of 340 copies of questionnaire were administered to the selected sample using convenient sampling technique (a non-probabilistic technique). The sample comprises of male and female faculty and staff of the selected institution. The measuring instrument was divided into three sections: section one examined the demographic characteristics of the respondents, section two addresses the identification of the commonest form of sexual harassment in the study area and placed on the likert scale of 1-5 to be scored accordingly as: 1=never, 2= almost never, 3= sometimes, 4= often and 5=very often.  The third section examine the psychological and sociological implication of sexual harassment on victims through review of existing literature, and in-depth interview with respondent that have such experience. The study revealed that the most prevailing form of sexual harassment experienced by faculty and staff of the study area are non-verbal harassment, crude sexual remarks and inappropriate touch, having mean score of 3.97, 3.95 and 3.91 and ranked 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd respectively. Seductive comments and distribution of sexists’ materials have a mean of 3.88 and ranked 4^th; making of inappropriate comments and jokes have mean of 3.79 and ranked as 5^th on the list.  Using angry tone, sarcastic criticism, offering of promotion and rape advances were the least in the prevailing forms of sexual harassment in the study area with mean score of 3.64, 3.62, 3.10 and 2.60 respectively. Decrease in job commitment, general life dissatisfaction, increased turnover and retirement intention, job gender context, high rate of absenteeism, change of career intention were identified as the psychological effects of erotic harassment, while deteriorated interpersonal relationship with co-workers, stigmatization and rejection by the co-workers, threat of divorce for victim that is married, as well as loss of job and inability to secure another job were identified as sociological effects of erotic harassment. We recommend proper sensitization through training and awareness on erotic harassment, to ensure that every employee have adequate information about his or her rights and responsibilities. In addition, means of reporting and addressing such incidents should be put in place in every organization, while adequate punishment for individual found guilty of such offence, be established.

Keywords: Erotic harassment, Workplace, Sociological, Psychological