An assessment of the effects of Sexual harassment on the performance of female students in tertiary institutions: a case study of Busoga University

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Date
2008-07
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Publisher
Kampala International University.College of Humanities and social science
Abstract
The study investigated the effects of sexual harassment on the performance of female students in tertiary institutions, a case study of Busoga University. It also investigated the prevalence of sexual harassment, emotional reactions of victims of sexual harassment, their attitudes towards sexually harassing behavior. The subjects included 50 university students from Busoga University ranging from first year to fourth year of study. The study mainly focused on year 2005 to 2008. The subjects included 40 females and 10 males. All respondents ranged from 19 to 27 years of age. The study was handled through a survey design. A questionnaire was used in collecting data, which was later frequenced for analysis. Generally, 75% of the females subjects reported having been sexually harassed. The emotional reactions to various sexually harassing behaviors were predominantly anger and upset and there were no significant differences between groups regarding their emotional reactions. Sexual harassment has got various effects on the performance of female students in tertiary institutions. Some of these effects include low self esteem, lack of concentration, low achievement in academic work and other psychological effects on the victim. There is there fore a need for a mass sensitization programme about the nature and effects of sexual harassment to both males and females. Assertive training about the dangers of sexual harassment should be provided in institutions of learning including schools. Also management in tertiary institutions must provide channels through which information Vlll regarding sexual harassment can be received in such away that victims are not threatened by relation. Rules and consequences must be spelt out clearly and culprits must be brought to justice when proved guilty to discourage the growth of this undesirable behaviour.
Description
Research report submitted to the Faculty of Social Sciences as a partial fulfillment for the award of a bachelor's degree in Social Work and Social Administration of Kampala International University
Keywords
Assessment, Sexual harassment, Performance, Female, Students, Tertiary institutions
Citation