TRENDS IN SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN THE NIGER DELTA REGION OF NIGERIA IN A COVID-19 ERA: A REVIEW OF NEWSPAPER REPORTS

Abstract

The incidence of sexual violence, especially against children and adolescents, has increased in the recent decade. This situation has been made worse as a result of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. This secondary survey utilizing various newspaper reports explored the trends in sexual violence especially against women during the period of the COVID-19 period. Materials used for the review in this study were sourced, first from newspapers reports in Nigeria, especially from; the Daily Post, Thisday Newspaper, Vanguard, and The Sun. Secondly, BBC News, Reliefweb, and Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) were also consulted as complementary sources. These newspaper reports were presented in tables according to the states in the Niger Delta Region. Findings from the study indicated that in all states of the Niger Delta Region within the period of study, at least three cases or incidence of rape occurred. Also, most of the victims of the sexual violence as reported were either minors or adolescents. Additionally, the perpetrators of this heinous crime were people aged over 30 years. Finally, while in most cases, the perpetrators were arrested, it is only in few cases that the trial process has run full course and suspects have been convicted. It is therefore recommended that the various state governments should create a special court to speedily try sexual violence offenders and impose stricter penalties if found guilty, to serve as deterrence to others.