Sexual Harassment Against Sexual Minority Students in a University in Nigeria

Background Although most universities in Nigeria have a stringent policy against sexual harassment, most of these policies fail to recognize the unique needs of sexual minority individuals. The study aimed to explore the lived experience of sexual minority survivors of sexual harassment in OAU, Nigeria. Methods This was an observational study that collected data from sexual minority students (aged 18–29 years) who had experienced sexual harassment, policymakers, and peer supporters, using the phenomenological approach between February and June 2024. In-depth interviews were conducted with sexual minority students recruited from a Nigerian university who had experienced sexual harassment. The data was transcribed, coded, and inductively analysed to generate themes using ATLAS.ti version 24. Results The study included 20 sexual minority students who participated in in-depth interviews. The analysis revealed seven key themes (i) Experiences of sexual harassment, including verbal and physical assault, rape, and homophobic violence, which led to self-isolation, absenteeism, anxiety, and diminished trust in others (ii) Community and social perceptions (iii) Cultural and religious factors (iv) Psychological and academic impacts (v) Coping mechanisms with survivors reporting different strategies, such as confiding in friends, avoiding perpetrators, stress eating, crying, using social media as a distraction, and psychoactive substance use. (vi) Institutional support, with most survivors reluctant to report incidents to law enforcement or institutional authorities due to fears of escalation, lack of evidence, Nigeria’s criminalization of same-sex relationships, and concerns about further victimization by authorities. (vii) Recommendations for prevention, including calls for gender and diversity training. Respondents recommended that the institution should encourage sexual minority individuals to speak up, embrace gender inclusive approaches, implement protective anti-sexual harassment policies, inclusive of sexual minorities, and raise awareness of gender diversity within the university community through targeted training. Respondents believed that such diversity training could improve understanding and foster greater tolerance. Conclusion The experience of sexual harassment among sexual minorities has implications for the well-being of its survivors. Legal and institutional prejudice make reporting difficult, highlighting the need for institutional policy reforms and cultural changes. Institutions need to pay more attention to social inclusion and diversity training for relevant stakeholders about SH and the peculiarities of sexual minorities. Training is essential to making sexual minority spaces safer.