Reporting and Addressing Sexual Harassment at Four Institutions of Higher Learning in Zambia: A Quantitative Study of Related Attitudes and Perceptions

Problem Sexual harassment is a social ill that exists across nations, socio-economic backgrounds, races, nationality, ethnicity, age groups, and sex. Although both male and female members of society experience sexual harassment, research shows that a greater percentage of sexual harassment victims are women (Whitley & Page, 2015; CharterJee, 2018). A comparison of the prevalence of sexual harassment at workplaces and educational institutions shows that sexual harassment is more widespread at institutions of learning than at workplaces. Research on the prevalence of attitudes and or perceptions toward sexual harassment in institutions of higher learning shows that between 10%- 68% of female students have experienced sexual harassment from a faculty member (Paludi et al., 2006; Ali, 2013; Matina, 2002; Adinew & Hagos, 2017). Most research findings on sexual harassment are based on research carried out mostly in Western cultures. There is a dearth of research on attitudes and/or perceptions toward sexual harassment, sexual harassment reporting and the institutional likelihood of addressing sexual harassment among students, faculty/staff and administrators in various Zambian higher education institutions. Suppose the problem of sexual harassment in various Zambian institutions of higher learning is not investigated, victims will continue to suffer the emotional, physical, and psychological effects of being sexually harassed, and policymakers will not have data to facilitate the possible development of comprehensive policies that adequately address this social ill. Therefore, it is paramount that sexual harassment in various Zambian institutions of higher learning be investigated through empirical research to provide a deeper understanding of this problem among Zambian higher education students, faculty/staff and administrators. Purpose of Study The purpose of this study is to (1) find out how age, gender, occupation, and institution type relate or correlate to attitudes towards sexual harassment (2) ...