Students Perception of Causes and Consequences of Sexual Harassment in TertiaryInstitutions in Delta State, Nigeria

This study survey the perception of students on the causes and consequences of sexual harassment in tertiary institutions in Delta State, Nigeria. The population for the study comprised all students in tertiary institutions owned by delta State Government. Researcher purposively sample three tertiary institutions (delta  State University abraka,   College of Education, agbor and delta State Polytechnic ogwashukwu out of four institutions owned by the state. 600 respondents were randomly selected. Researcher designed questionnaire was used to elicit information from respondents. The finding of the study reveals that inadequate security in the school premises, poverty, provocative dressing, laziness of female students in studying are the major causes of sexual harassment in tertiary institutions. The study also reveals that sexual harassment in the tertiary institutions  can lead to Fear and trauma , poor image of the institutions where it frequently occurs, Lack of concentration in the study, which in turn leads to poor academic performance of the victim. It also brings about hatred which can lead to difficulty in interpersonal relation and difficulty in sexual adjustment.   The study therefore recommended that adequate security measure should be ensured in all nook and crannies of the school premises,Lecturer should not take the economic status of their student as a basis to perpetrate these antisocial acts, The school counsellors should be trained and skilled to handle cases of sexual harassment effectively. Dress codes should be enforced, appropriate disciplinary action should be taken against perpetrators and justice secured for the victims. These are the best strategies to curb sexual assault in tertiary institutions

 Keywords: Sexual harassment, Higher education institutions, Perception, Causes and Consequences