Teacher-Student sexual harassment in Vakpo Senior High School in the Volta Region of Ghana

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine student-teacher sexual harassment and its occurrence in Vakpo Senior High school in the Volta Region, Ghana. The study adopted the descriptive survey. The sample size was 145 respondents, comprising of 125 female students and 25 male teachers. Data was collected using the questionnaire and interview guide. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23. Findings show that female students experienced sexual harassment from their male teachers. Both female students and their male teachers understand the acts that constituted sexual harassment. The study concludes that sexual harassment against female students actually took place and was mostly masterminded by the male teachers in the school. The harassment took place in form of sexual comments such as text messages, pinching and sexual looks. The study recommends that school authorities, chiefs and elders, the Ghana Education Service, the Ministry of Education, PTA and other stakeholders in education including NGOs should spearhead and intensify education on sexual harassment in the school. It also recommends that female students be empowered to be able to speak out anytime they feel harassed sexually but their male teachers. The study also suggested that, male teachers who are reported by female students for sexual harassment be dealt with to serve as deterrent to others.