By Dr. Gbonjubola Abiri

Over two decades ago, I had an encounter that remains etched in my memory. I boarded a taxi, sharing the back seat with other passengers. Few minutes into the journey, I began to feel an uncomfortable pressure against my leg. Initially, I dismissed it as incidental contact. However, the sensation persisted. Eventually, I looked down and saw that the man beside me was rubbing his erect penis against my leg.
I was frozen with disbelief.

Then fear set in, that he might ejaculate on me and fear of what might happen if I confronted him. I asked the driver to immediately stop the car and quickly got out. I was too embarrassed to speak or challenge him. Like many victims of sexual harassment, I carried a lingering sense of confusion and shame. Only later, in my work as a psychiatrist, did I come to understand that it was an act of frotteurism.
Frotteurism describes a paraphilic disorder in which an individual experiences intense sexual arousal from touching or rubbing against a non-consenting person, usually in public or crowded settings such as buses, markets or taxis. It is a form of sexual assault, even though it is often minimised or misunderstood. The perpetrator derives gratification from the act, while the victim is left feeling violated, anxious and powerless.

The psychological impact on victims can be significant. Many experience intrusive memories, hyper-vigilance in public spaces, avoidance of crowded environments and feelings of contamination or disgust. In some cases, these symptoms may evolve into post-traumatic stress disorder. Unfortunately, because frotteurism often occurs discreetly and in environments where witnesses are absent, victims may be left doubting their experiences or choosing silence to avoid stigma or disbelief.

While frotteurism is categorised as a psychiatric disorder, it does not excuse the behaviour. The condition may be caused by exposure to sexual trauma or violence, deficits in sexual or social skills, environmental and cultural factors, impulse control disorders and paraphilic disorders which involve recurrent, intense, sexually arousing fantasies, urges, or behaviours that are distressing or disabling and involve inanimate objects, children or non-consenting adults.

Individuals who struggle with this condition can benefit from interventions such as psychotherapy and behavioural interventions. We must focus on prevention through public awareness, early education about consent and personal boundaries, as well as law enforcement.

We must work at fostering a culture where survivors of sexual harassment are safe enough to speak up without shame or blame.
Years later, I am reminded and reassured that acknowledging and naming sexually untoward experiences is a vital step toward healing and advocacy.

Remember, there is no health without mental health.