CURBING CAMPUS BASED SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA’S TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS THROUGH THE INSTRUMENTALITY OF THE LAW

Abstract

The upsurge in sexual violence globally has attained a frightening dimension. There is hardly any crime more grievous than rape maybe with the possible exception of murder. The pain experienced by the victim and parents are second to none. In Nigeria for instance, where the incident is under-reported due to ignorance, illiteracy, poverty and fear of stigmatization on the part of the victims. The media is awash with stories of sexual violence on daily basis. More frightening is the fact that in Nigeria, the tertiary institutions which ought to be the citadel of knowledge and for character molding has turned to be the bastion of sexual violence. This work will attempt to explore the possible causes of campus based sexual violence in Nigerian tertiary institutions and proffer solution on how this crime against humanity can be curbed. In doing so we are going to examine the meaning, forms, history, causes and consequences of sexual violence in the Nigerian tertiary institutions. We will also look at campus based sexual violence in other jurisdictions. Equally germane to this discourse, is to explore the International and National legal framework in respect of sexual violence and proffer solutions on the prevention of campus based sexual violence.