The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU has called for a review of existing laws on sexual harassment in tertiary institutions rather than formulating new ones.
ASUU National President, Biodun Ogunyemi made the call at a public hearing in Abuja on “Sexual Harassment of Students in Tertiary Educational Institution Prohibition Bill” sponsored by the Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege.
The event was organised by the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters headed by Bamidele Opeyemi.
The bill which scaled 2nd reading at the Senate on November 6, 2019, is seeking to prohibit sexual harassment in tertiary educational institutions and imposes stiff punitive measures on perpetrators.
Ogunyemi noted ASUU is not in support of sexual harassment in any form, noting that if there is a law that addressed issues related to sexual harassment, there was no point wasting time on another law. He further said there is the need to review the existing laws and recognise the autonomy of the universities.
In her submission, Executive Director, Youth Alive Foundation, YAF Uduak Okon said the Independent Prohibitions Committee should be protected because it was the first point of redress for students.