In reaction to the BBC Documentary on Sex For Grades, writer Lola Shoneyin has shared the story of how she was sexually harassed by a Deputy Vuce Chancellor.
According to her, the experience was so embarrassing that she had no choice but to tell her father.
She tweeted:
”A DVC (also my dad’s friend) lunged at my breasts in his office. I froze from shock before flinging off his hand. For months, I felt terrible shame. Played the scene over in my mind to see what I could’ve done to invite such a violation. Nothing. I told my dad and he was furious!
My dad slapped his chest and said, ‘Omo re mi!’ (my own child in Remo). He felt so betrayed. To be honest, I told my parents because I felt a stomach-turning combination of shame and fear. I believed the man was capable of turning up at my door.
It was very hard. And very embarrassing. There are loads of experiences that I didn’t share/ haven’t shared with them though. How many stories will I recount?
Listen, a big part of my shame was that I froze from shock for about 3 seconds. I therefore had to live with the lingering sensation of this man’s palm on my breast for weeks. I felt so dirty. I wish I’d slapped him. I wish I’d screamed. But I didn’t. I was terrified”.