Sylvanus Otikwu

Keywords: Campus sexual violence, reporting behaviour, rape hotspots, non-disclosure, Yobe.

Abstract

Sexual violence remains a serious concern on university campuses globally, yet its manifestations and reporting patterns vary significantly by
context. This study investigates the locations where rape occurs, reporting
behaviours and barriers to disclosure among students at Federal University
Gashua, Yobe State, Nigeria. Using a mixed-methods approach that combined a survey with key informant interviews (KIIs), the study identifies victims’ rooms and restrooms in off campuses hostels as leading hotspots for sexual abuse. Although 51% of respondents reported knowing
where to lodge complaints, only 36.61% indicated that incidents involving known victims were reported to authorities. Barriers to reporting include low self-esteem, fear, self-blame, stigma, and restrictive cultural norms. Overall, the study concludes that sexual violence at Federal University Gashua is shaped by the interaction of unsafe physical spaces, fragmented institutional reporting mechanisms, and deeply rooted socio-cultural constraints that collectively suppress disclosure and accountability.
Consequently, the study’s findings highlight the need to strengthen campus reporting systems, improve awareness of available reporting channels and entrenchment of survivor-centered support services at Federal University Gashua, Yobe State, Nigeria.

Author Biography

Sylvanus Otikwu

Department of Sociology, Faculty of Management and Social Sciences, Federal University, Gashua, Yobe State, Nigeria

Email: [email protected]

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