AWARENESS AND PERCEIVED CAUSES OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT AMONG UNDERGRADUATES IN SELECTED NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES: A STUDY FROM OYO STATE

This study investigated the awareness and perceived causes of sexual harassment among undergraduate students in selected Nigerian universities within Oyo State. Using a descriptive survey design, a total of 200 students (69 males and 131 females) from both public and private universities were sampled through simple random sampling. A structured questionnaire was employed to collect data on students' awareness of sexual harassment, institutional responses, and perceived causative factors. Findings revealed a high level of awareness among respondents, with 76.5% reporting prior sensitization or training on sexual harassment, and 93.5% acknowledging an understanding of what constitutes sexual harassment (M=4.53, SD=0.69). However, only 35.5% indicated that awareness programs were regularly conducted on their campuses. The most commonly perceived causes of sexual harassment included substance use (90%, M=4.35, SD=0.81), peer pressure (89%, M=4.39, SD=0.79), cultural tolerance (75.5%, M=4.10, SD=1.02), and fear of stigmatization, which was affirmed by 90.5% of respondents (M=3.95, SD=0.96). An independent t-test showed no significant difference in awareness levels between students in public and private universities (t(198) = -0.712, p > 0.05). However, a statistically significant difference was found between male and female students regarding perceived causes of sexual harassment (t(198) = 2.36, p < 0.05), with males reporting higher mean scores (M = 17.55) compared to females (M = 16.80), though the effect size was small (d ≈ 0.33). The study highlights the need for more consistent awareness initiatives and institutional reforms to address the systemic and social factors contributing to sexual harassment in Nigerian universities. It also underscores the importance of gender-sensitive strategies in combating sexual misconduct on campuses.