ICPC
ICPC stands against molestation in varsities. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has issued a warning to university students regarding sexual harassment on campus.
According to the ICPC, sexual harassment is a corrupt activity that can result in a seven-year prison sentence.
The Secretary to the Commission, Mr Clifford Oparaodu, gave the warning in Abuja at a “One Day Sensitisation Workshop on Sexual Harassment in Tertiary Institutions” on Wednesday.
Oparaodu said that the ICPC regarded sexual harassment as a corrupt practice; hence, there was a need for victims to know their rights and how to seek justice.
He was concerned that sexual enjoyment had become “illegal tender” in many institutions.
“Sexual harassment is a form of corruption,” he stated emphatically.
He stated that it is unusual for an official to use his or her position or office to demand, receive, obtain, or seek to obtain any type of sexual fulfillment for himself or to execute his duties.
“Ideally, official duties ought to be carried out with integrity, good conscience, and diligence without the expectation of any unlawful benefit,” he said
According to him, Section 8 of the ICPC Act says, “Any person who corruptly asks for, receives or obtains any property or benefit of any kind for himself or any other person; is guilty of an offence of Official corruption and is liable to imprisonment for seven years.
“It is important to stress that unlawful benefits are not always monetary, and it is disappointing that in many institutions, sexual gratification has become a type of “illegal tender.”
“Staff members have been found to use their office to demand and receive sexual benefits from other staff and students in exchange for good grades or other favours,” he went on to say.
Oparaodu stated that it is sad that many targets of such requests are forced to succumb owing to fear of stigmatization or additional victimization.
“This is done to avoid dire consequences and denial of benefits to which they might otherwise be entitled.”
The culture of silence has allowed sexual harassment thrives but ICPC is working relentlessly to ensure that with sensitization and appropriate policy implementation, this culture would gradually change,” he said.
He said that ICPC is determined to put a stop to this, initiated the Sexual Harassment Unit with a focus on prevention of sexual harassment in tertiary and secondary institutions.
Oparaodu stated that this was done to address the issue of sexual gratification and official abuse of authority and power.
He explained that the purpose of the workshop was to educate students about how to easily contact the ICPC, report incidents of sexual harassment, and gather evidence in a way that will support the commission’s investigations.