The authorities in University of Lagos, UNILAG have come under attack over its issuance of an advisory to female students on how to comport themselves to avoid being raped.
The advisory on banners stationed within the school campus contains eight tips directed at female students.
Among them are: “To avoid sexual harassment/rape, do not dress to kill. Your dress is your address.”
“Do not shake hands anyhow with any man, mingle carelessly with men, stay alone with a man in a hidden place or accept gifts frequently from men.”
“Do not seek unnecessary favour from men, join to watch pornographic film/pictures, accept intoxicants and be vigilant when you are served with drinks, and do not give in to pressure. Be assertive, learn to say no!”
To the school Students’ Union Government (SUG), the official guidance is inappropriate.
SUG President Bolaji Akinpelu conveyed the students’ union’s disapprobation in a statement he released in which he said the onus of rape not occurring should be on perpetrators.
“We are therefore concerned that aspects of the material may be interpreted as suggesting that survivors of sexual harassment or sexual violence bear responsibility for the actions of perpetrators. Awareness campaigns should empower students with practical safety knowledge without implying that a survivor’s clothing, appearance, choices, or circumstances either cause sexual violence or reduce the responsibility of the perpetrator,” Akinpelu wrote.
