Sexual corruption is the abuse of public power for sexual gain. It occurs when access to a public service, benefit or opportunity is made conditional on sexual compliance.
My research examines how common sexual corruption is, the institutions and informal networks that enable it, and its consequences for economic participation, public services and well-being. With collaborators, I use survey data, qualitative research and experimental approaches to understand this form of corruption and inform efforts to prevent it.
Sexual Corruption, Informal Networks, and Female Entrepreneurship: Evidence from Burkina Faso
With Doris Aja-Eke, Roisin Lyons, Idrissa Ouedraogo, Eugenie Maïga and Zalissa Wanga. Third World Quarterly (2026).
Drawing on focus groups with female entrepreneurs, we examine how sexual corruption operates through male-dominated informal networks, the risks women face when dealing with officials, and possible ways to reduce those risks.
Sextortion and Corruption
With Doris Aja-Eke, Idrissa Ouedraogo and Eugenie Maïga. Applied Economics Letters (2025).
Cross-country evidence suggests that conventional corruption both facilitates sexual corruption and masks its prevalence, highlighting the need to understand sexual exploitation as a corruption problem.
Fighting Sexual Corruption in Public Services: Lessons from Women’s Experiences in Brazil
With Fernando Forattini, Regina Connolly, Doris Aja-Eke and Ednilse Leme. Forthcoming book chapter in Anti-Corruption Policy for Gender Equality and Empowerment, Palgrave Macmillan. Preprint available.
Drawing on women’s experiences of public services in Brazil, we examine how institutional cultures, inequalities and barriers to reporting enable sexual corruption, and what this means for policy.
The Gendered Well-Being Costs of Sexual Corruption in South Africa
With Amy Alexander. Working paper, Quality of Government Institute Working Paper Series 2026:7.
Using new survey evidence from South Africa, we examine how knowledge of sexual corruption in one’s neighbourhood is associated with happiness, life satisfaction and living conditions. The clearest gender difference appears in assessments of living conditions.
The Threat of Sexual Corruption to Female Entrepreneurs: Evidence from a Pilot Study in Burkina Faso
With Oana Borcan, Doris Aja-Eke and Eugenie Maïga. Working paper.
A pilot survey documents women’s experiences of sexual corruption, including repeated or escalating demands. The findings highlight particular risks when starting a business and obtaining permits or official documents.
Sexualised Corruption in High-Income Democracies: Sub-National Evidence from the European Union
With Michael Breen. Working paper.
Using regional evidence across the European Union, we examine the relationship between monetary bribery and sexual corruption, and how that relationship varies with economic and institutional conditions.
Sextortion and Female Entrepreneurship
With Doris Aja-Eke, Roisin Lyons, Idrissa Ouedraogo and Eugenie Maïga. Working paper.
Combining data from the Global Corruption Barometer and Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, we examine the relationship between sexual corruption and women’s entrepreneurial activity.
Sexual Corruption in Ireland and Northern Ireland
With John Devitt, Michael Breen and Alexander Chance. Research report (2026).
Survey evidence from both jurisdictions examines direct experience and knowledge of sexual corruption across public services, identifies areas of concern, and offers policy recommendations.
Sextortion and Corruption — with Doris Aja-Eke, Idrissa Ouedraogo and Eugenie Maïga. COGS Policy Brief No. 1.
We need to recognise that sexual corruption exists — and act to stop it — with Olesia Zhytkova. Irish Examiner, August 2026.
Sextortion: Undermining Entrepreneurship and Governance — discussion on the Corruption Talks! podcast.
Several of these studies developed through Corruption, Gender, and Sustainable Development (COGS), funded by Research Ireland and Irish Aid.