The Hidden Epidemic: Prevalence of Sexual Harassment, Reporting Barriers, and Institutional Pathways to Disclosure among University Students in South-South Nigeria

Abstract

Sexual harassment remains a major challenge in higher education, with underreporting limiting institutional efforts to protect students and respond effectively to incidents. This study examined the prevalence of sexual harassment, reporting barriers, and institutional pathways to disclosure among university students in South-South Nigeria. A quantitative cross-sectional survey design was adopted, involving 620 undergraduate students selected from six universities through a multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's Chi-square test, and binary logistic regression. The findings revealed that 49.4% of the respondents had experienced sexual harassment. Female students and off-campus residents were significantly more likely to report experiences of harassment than their counterparts (p < 0.001). Fear of retaliation, victim-blaming, lack of confidence in university authorities, and concerns about confidentiality emerged as the major barriers to reporting, while 57.4% of respondents were unaware of their universities' sexual harassment policies. Logistic regression showed that policy awareness, confidence in institutional response, and knowledge of reporting procedures significantly increased the likelihood of disclosure. Respondents identified confidential reporting systems, protection against retaliation, and strict sanctions for offenders as the most effective institutional strategies for promoting reporting. The study recommends strengthening policy awareness, survivor-centred reporting mechanisms, and institutional accountability to improve disclosure and enhance student protection.