Sexual Corruption

Sexual corruption (sometimes referred to as 'sextortion') occurs when a person with entrusted authority abuses this authority to obtain a sexual favor. The quid pro quo (this for that) of sexual corruption involves conditioning a service or benefit, which is connected to the entrusted position, on a sexual favor. “Sex for grades” is just one example of sexual corruption, where a teacher obtains a sexual favor from a student in exchange for grades or exam results. With a focus on the sexual abuse of power, we suggest that this phenomenon is reframed as "grades for sex".

Even though cases of sexual corruption are common around the world, they are often not recognized or dealt with, says project leader Elin Bjarnegård. We think this is because sexual corruption does not neatly fit the definition of neither corruption, nor gender based violence. This is why it is so important to shed light on the particular phenomenon of sexual corruption.

Sexual corruption takes place in a gray zone between corruption and gender-based violence. Just like corruption, sexual corruption involves the abuse of entrusted authority for personal gain, but the currency of the corrupt exchange is sex. Just like in gender-based violence, sexual corruption involves coerced sexual acts enabled by unequal gender norms, but the transactional aspect blurs the issue of consent.

Theoretically, the project will demonstrate the implications of sex as the currency of a corrupt transaction. Empirically, it will investigate how action can be taken against sexual corruption in a development project. With a definition of sexual corruption emphasizing the abuse of authority and the role of gender norms, the project closely follows a process around formulating and implementing policy about sexual corruption in a non-governmental organization working with adult education in Tanzania.