Judge: `Sextortion` is corruption, abuse of power

A form of silent corruption and abuse of power, named ‘sextortion,’ has ruined lives of innocent teenagers particularly job seekers and students in Tanzania.

‘Sextortion’ has at times been behind marriage break-ups and is becoming common habit among many employers and officials in public and private sectors.

Speaking during a workshop organized for University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) students, retired judge of the Court of Appeal, Justice Eusebia Munuo said both the victim and wrong doer keep quiet as both of them want to get something.

Despite efforts by the government, civil society organizations and other stakeholders to address the issue, victims have continued to suffer as many of them fear to report these incidents to protect their jobs and succeed in their studies and life, Munuo said.

 “Sextortion refers to a broad category of sexual exploitation in which abuse of power is the means of coercion, as well as the category of sexual exploitation in which sexual images or information is the means of coercion,” she said.

She said people who occupy positions of authority and public trust wield their power over those who depend on their favour to ask for sexual favours.

Sharing their experiences during the meeting, several university students expressed concern saying that tutors solicit sexual favours of their underage students in return for homework help and passing grades.

Carolyne Ulomy, a student at University of Dar es Salaam, a student of Bachelors in Adult and Community Education said ‘Sextortion’ is rampant in various universities and many students fear to report the incidents so as to pass their final exams.

“This training it will give us courage to defend our rights and refuse to be discriminated by both teachers and fellow students,” she said.

Ulomy, who is also UDSM public relations officer, said this is a serious problem and its increase is largely due to decaying morals at both public and private and at family level. 

A lawyer at Women's Legal Aid Centre (WLAC), a non-governmental organization that provides legal aid services, Ms Faudhia Yassin said it was necessary the public should know the difference between sextortion and other forms of sexual abuse.

“Sextortion is demand for sex to come from a person with authority,” Ms Yassin said, adding that it is authority exercised in a wrong way.
She said this authority can be exercised in a variety of ways: legal, moral and traditional.

“The authority must come from a legitimate source. There must be sufficient rules or understanding about the scope of authority for purposes of identifying the type of sexual abuse committed,’ she explained