Survey reveals deep distrust in Nigeria’s response to sexual harassment

Sexual harassment remains one of the most pervasive yet underreported issues in Nigeria, with a recent national survey revealing widespread distrust in the country’s legal and institutional systems designed to address it.

According to the March 2025 Women’s Choice survey conducted by BusinessDay, the vast majority of respondents expressed a profound lack of confidence in existing laws meant to protect victims of sexual harassment.

Many described the legal framework as ineffective or completely unknown to them, with several admitting they had never heard of key legislation like the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act of 2018.

The survey, which aimed to gauge public sentiment on Nigeria’s response to sexual harassment, exposed a chilling pattern of silence, fear, and systemic failure. Respondents shared personal stories from diverse environments, workplaces, schools, markets, political spaces, private homes, and even online platforms, reinforcing the reality that sexual harassment is not confined to any single setting or demographic.

Despite the frequency of these encounters, only a small fraction of victims reported the incidents. The reasons for this silence were alarmingly consistent: fear of stigma, victim-blaming, retaliation, and an overwhelming lack of trust in the justice system.

“The feeling that nothing will be done and that there will be retaliation,” one respondent shared. Another added, “You hear things like, ‘What were you wearing?’ or ‘What were you doing there?’ and it shuts you down.”

Many respondents pointed to societal norms that trivialise harassment, especially when the perpetrator holds a position of power. Nigeria’s cultural values, they noted, often silence women and make it difficult for victims to come forward without facing judgment or disbelief.

“For many, the risk of coming forward outweighs the hope of getting justice,” the report concluded.