Prevalence and Patterns of Sexual Abuse among Undergraduate Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in a University in Southern Nigeria

Purpose: sexual abuse is a broad term used to describe all forms of unwanted sexual advances typically made by an individual in a place of higher authority. It is an important social construct for study particularly in the University environment as students especially females can be viewed in the light of being vulnerable and hence likely to experience sexual harassment and its attendant consequences which can be far reaching and adversely affecting the victims’ overall potentials. The objectives of this study were to assess the prevalence, forms and patterns of sexual abuse among undergraduates in University of Benin. Methodology: A total of 460 students were recruited in this study using a multistage sampling technique. A cross-sectional descriptive design was utilized and a validated questionnaire was used to collect data which was analysed using SPSS version 22 software and results presented in tables and charts. The significance level was set at 0.05. Findings: The study revealed that of the 460 respondents, 205 (44.6%) had a lifetime prevalence of sexual abuse with the most common form being exhibitionism (33.3%) and the least was rape (17.1%). 41 (8.9%) had experienced the trauma in the University and 8 (1.7%) had been abused in the preceding 6 months. 144 (45.4%) and 61 (42.7%) of the victims were females and males respectively. Out of the 110 victims that further participated in the patterns, 76.4% knew their perpetrator, 45.5% were assaulted vaginally and 12.7% had attempted suicide following the event. Recommendations: There is higher prevalence of sexual abuse than was previously perceived particularly among the males who are often misconstrued as being incapable of suffering from this trauma. The perpetrators of the act more often than not, are in close acquaintance with the victim. A significant number of the victims of sexual abuse are in need of psychological help. Therefore, it is recommended that medical practitioners especially psychiatrists and clinical psychologists pay special attention to these victims, including creating a supportive environment that would further encourage them to seek the help they are in dire need of. Furthermore, there is need for policy reform, cultural change, awareness campaigns, and support mechanisms with the bid to foster safer learning environments for students.