SOCIOLOGICAL REVIEW ON THE INCIDENCE AND IMPLICATIONS OF RAPE ON VICTIMS IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The incidence of rape, despite being severely under-reported in many parts of the world, due to stigmatization cast on those who have been raped, has become a worrisome social problem. There is currently an alarming rise in rape cases in many parts of the world. United Nations statistics on incidences of rape compiled from government sources showed that more than 250,000 cases of rape or attempted rape were recorded by the police annually. The reported data covered 65 countries, Nigeria inclusive. This review paper therefore examined the incidence or prevalence of rape in Nigeria and the implications of rape on victims. It also canvassed for measures to eradicate the menace of rape in the Nigerian society. Consequently, aggressive public enlightenment and rape awareness campaign was strongly recommended. This should be extended to schools, social clubs, cultural group gatherings, and churches and mosques through health workers and civil society organizations to minimize the incidence of the cankerworm of rape Nigeria.