In most cases, victims of sexual harassment are shy to report their aggressors each time they fall prey.
Women are victims of several forms of violence. Among the different forms of violence against women, sexual harassment is the most frequent. It affects all the women and young girls in society. Mrs Mary L. a Yaounde inhabitant found herself being sexually abused by her doctor during one of her medical consultations. Confused, she sought advice from a family welfare officer. She said she could not tell her husband because he would not believe her. This form of violence against women is common in all sectors of society. Sexual harassment is also common within the family milieu.

In some cases, parents who are poor send their children as house helps to their relatives, friends or well wishers. These orphans or poor children are sometimes sexually harassed by their guardians and even family members. Martina K. is a victim of sexual harassment by her guardian. She was brought to Yaounde from the North Region by her parents who are poor and had no means to take care of her. The story is similar for Madeleine Bodo who lives in the Aguissa neighbourhood. She said she is being harassed by all the male members of the home where she is living. She cannot complain to anybody because she is afraid. Her wish is to go back to the village and live with her parents no matter the circumstances. She was however advised by the family welfare department of the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and the Family to make her uncle understand the dangers of his acts.

Apart from the family, sexual harassment is common in schools. This is ofeten refered to as “Average Sexually Added” syndrome by some specialists. Some teachers threaten to make students fail because they refuse to yield to their advances. The female students are therefore forced to give in to such harassments to be able to move to the next class. The administration is not left out. Sexual harassment is common mostly at the level of the hierarchy. Many female workers face sexual harassment from their bosses. Patricia N. a worker in Yaounde said she lost her job because she resisted the advances of her boss. “When the director is interested in you and you resist you are ignored and he creates problems for you,” she said. Also, female job seekers are usually victims of sexual harassment. In most cases a woman’s application for a job can be easily turned down due to the fact that she does not yield to advances from men charged with the responsibility to recruit.