Sexual harassment: Don’t deflect, investigate allegation – CDHR warns FGC Warri

The Delta State Chapter of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR, on Saturday, November 7, warned the Management Board of the Federal Government College, Warri, not to “deflect” or use the poor conduct of an expelled student’s parents as an excuse to avoid investigating the allegation of sexual harassment.

The warning was contained in a statement signed by Comrade Derrick Oritsematosan Agberen and Comrade Nosa Oveseey, State Chairman and Publicity Secretary, respectively.

The CDHR urged the school’s Management Board to immediately investigate the allegations of sexual harassment and apply sanctions where culpability is established. It also called on the board to review the expulsion to ensure due process was followed and that the decision was neither punitive nor retaliatory, as well as to strengthen student protection policies and create clear reporting channels for parents and students.

The CDHR stated that the safety and welfare of students must remain the primary concern of any school authority.

Addressing the parents’ conduct, the group noted that while it is understandable for a parent to react emotionally upon receiving distressing information about their child, it condemned the manner in which they acted, particularly the alleged false information given to the father claiming the student was assaulted by school security personnel.

According to the CDHR, “Parents are expected to respect constituted authorities and follow established procedures in channeling grievances, rather than resorting to hostility.”

While demanding equal justice, the CDHR said, “If the school authorities did not hesitate to expel the female student based on her parents’ conduct, then the male student whose actions allegedly triggered the entire incident must also face due investigation and appropriate disciplinary action. Selective justice undermines confidence in the system.

“Given the alarming rate of rape, defilement, and sexual harassment in schools, such cases warrant immediate and decisive action. Behaviour of this nature, if left unchecked, can develop into more grievous conduct in adulthood. Schools must serve as safe spaces and must act as deterrents.”

While urging parents to remain civil and follow due process, the CDHR also enjoined school authorities to prioritize the protection of children above institutional reputation.

It insisted that, “Justice must be fair, transparent, and seen to be done.”

DAILY POST Warri Correspondent reports that the Federal Government College, Warri, Delta State, on Friday expelled a female student following an allegation of sexual harassment by a male student in the school.