Exploring institutional measures of mitigating sexual harassment cases by male teachers: a case of selected secondary schools in Luapula province.
Date
2021-07-16
Authors
Chilonga, Justine Kapya
Daka, Harrison
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science
Abstract
Purpose: This paper seeks to present the study which
was conducted to explore the institutional measures of mitigating
sexual harassment cases by male teachers in Luapula province.
The study was undertaken in the 5randomly selected secondary
schools across the province.
Design/methodology/approach: The study used qualitative
paradigm in which descriptive survey design was ideal. The
descriptive design was chosen in order to come up with more
comprehensive, deeper insights from respondents so that a better
understanding of the phenomenon under study is enhanced. The
study was based on questionnaire and interview guide.
Questionnaires were administered to 5 Head teachers, 5
Guidance and counseling teachers and 15teachers while
interview guide was used to collect data from 15 pupils.
Findings: The study revealed that, sexual harassment is a serious
problem and its mitigation needs not only the attention of the
head teacher but the collective effort with the teachers, pupils,
stake holders and other interested parties who are involved in
the provision of education.
Limitations of the study: The findings of the study focused on the
role of the institutions in mitigating sexual harassment of female
pupils by male teachers. The findings therefore, cannot be
generalized to the male pupils and female teachers because this
research only endeavored to address the issue that has raised
serious concerns and has drawn the attention of the government,
parents, stakeholders, organizations, civil societies and the world
at large.
Practical implication: The practical implication is that if sexual
harassment in schools is not mitigated, it can lead to
psychological trauma in children who are subjected to it, it can
also cause risk of death, poor physical and mental health, Human
Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) infection, early pregnancy, education
problems, loneliness, vagrancy and poor parenting skills later in
life. The institutions therefore, should fight hard and mitigate it.
Originality/value: The study supports previous studies which
identified that sexual harassment is a serious social problem and
advocated for its mitigation. However this paper highlights the
divergence views of the respondents on the mitigation of sexual
harassment, thereby highlighting on the need to establish
policies, breaking the silence in schools and communities and
instituting reporting laws on sexual harassment
Description
Article. There is need to establish institutional policies, breaking the silence in schools and communities and instituting reporting laws on sexual harassment.
Keywords
Sexual harassment, Mitigation, Institution policy
Citation
Chilonga, K. J. and Daka, H. (2021). Exploring Institutional Measures of mitigating Sexual Harassment Cases by Male Teachers: A Case of Selected Secondary Schools in Luapula Province. International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 5 (6). 309 – 312