1. THE ROLE OF THE SUG AND PARLIAMENT IN ENDING SEXUAL VIOLENCE ON CAMPUS A paper presented at the legislative workshop and Inauguration of the Youth Against Sexual Violence Club at the University of Calabar. 8/8/08 By Kate Ibeanusi Prog. Officer- Human Rights Education, Project Alert on Violence Against Women.

2. What is sexual Violence (SV)? SV refers to any form of Sexual activity where consent is not obtained or freely given. It is a sexual act that is forced against someone’s will. These acts can be physical, verbal and psychological

3. Sexual Violence can be said to have occurred if the following takes place: A completed sexual act. An attempted but (but not completed) sex act. An abusive sexual contact i. intentional touching/fondling of genitalia, breast, buttocks etc. Non Contact sexual abuse. This is not physical but verbal and behavioural in nature including threats of sexual violence.

4. Forms of Sexual Violence These includes: Rape/Attempted Rape Incest Sexual Assault Sexual Harassment

5. Common circumstances of occurrence Sexual violence can occur in any of the following circumstances in tertiary institutions: During a date: acquaintance /date rape accounts for most of the rape on campus. They are most times known to the victims. AFTER EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL

6. CULTISM: several incidences of rape on campus are cult related. PEER PRESSURE/INFLUENCE: by fellow students and teachers already involved in the act of SV. INDECENT DRESSING: not necessarily the main cause but a contributory factor. This applies to both male and female. NOT BEING SECURITY CONCIOUS STALKING

7. Prevention strategies This should ultimately reduce the risk of exposure to SV. What to do to reduce of SV Trust your instincts. Set limits on sexual activity. Be aware of intrusion in your personal space, it may be a sign of not respecting your boundaries.

8. Prevention contd. Go out in group dates if possible. Clearly communicate what you want or don’t want. DRESS DECENTLY. Be observant and aware of your surroundings.

9. What the student body (SUG/Parliament) can do? Participate in activities aimed at sensitizing students in particular and the university community in general on the physical, sexual and psychological consequences of SV on campus. Organize sexual violence orientation programme for students. Organize regular hostel talks on alcohol, cultism, indecent dressing and its direct link to SV

10. Contd. Carry out advocacy campaigns on campus to speak against SV. Help the school authority in their duty to create an enabling and conducive learning environment. Engage and encourage the school authority to develop a sexual violence policy that demonstrate their recognition of the problem of Sv.

11. Contd. Campaign for the inclusion of SV in the schools disciplinary code and procedure, stipulating that such conduct is considered serious misconduct. Ensure that defaulters are brought to book and punished appropriately. Thank You.