Reps pass anti-sexual harassment bill, propose 14 years jail term for offenders

The House of Representatives has passed a bill to prevent and address sexual harassment of students in tertiary institutions, proposing a 14-year jail term for offenders.

The bill, which was passed for the third time on Wednesday, also proposed five years of imprisonment or a N5 million fine for heads of institutions that refused to act on complaints of sexual harassment by students.

The sponsor of the bill and spokesperson for the House, Akin Rotimi, said the legislation, when signed into law, will promote and protect ethical standards in tertiary institutions.

He said the bill aims at “Providing for the protection of students against sexual harassment by educators in tertiary educational institutions.

“Prevention of sexual harassment of students by educators in tertiary educational institutions; and redress of complaints of sexual harassment of students by educators in tertiary educational institutions.”

On what constitutes a sexual offense, the bill provides that “An educator shall be guilty of committing an offense or a felony of sexual harassment if he/she…

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“Engages in any form of unwelcome physical contact or verbal conduct of a sexual nature with a student or prospective student, or demands such conduct, regardless of consent; or

“Creates a hostile, offensive, or intimidating environment for a student by making unsolicited or inappropriate sexual advances or by requesting sexual favours; or

“Directs, facilitates, assists, or encourages another person to engage in any act of sexual harassment as defined under this Bill; or

“Displays, sends, or distributes any form of sexually explicit or suggestive material, including images, videos, or objects, to a student through any medium; or

“Makes verbal or non-verbal remarks, comments, or gestures of a sexual nature, or any remarks or conduct intended to degrade, humiliate, or body shame a student based on their physical appearance; or

“Engages in stalking, persistent following, or any form of unwanted attention directed at a student, which creates an atmosphere of fear or discomfort.”

According to the bill, “Any person who commits any of the offenses or acts specified in Clause 4 (1), (2), and (3) of this Bill would be guilty of an offense of felony and “shall, on conviction, be sentenced to an imprisonment term of up to 14 years but not less than 5 years, without an option of a fine.”

The bill also provides that “An administrative head of an institution who fails to comply with the provisions of sub-clauses (1) and (2) of this Clause of this Bill is guilty of an offense and shall be liable, on conviction, to a minimum fine of N5,000,000 or imprisonment for 5 years, or both.”