Don Calls For Greater Awareness Campaign Against Sexual Abuse

Team coordinator of the National Research Fund Grant Rape Research, Lagos State University Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Prof Onipede Wusu, has advocated a stronger measure of tackling rape and sexually abused crimes and other crimes against humanity, especially women.

Wusu who spoke at a seminar held at the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Lagos disclosed that findings have revealed that rape is under-reported and is prevalent in the rural areas more than the urban areas.

He added that this is because the perpetrators of rape are close acquaintances and family members of the victims who unleash untold trauma, pain and years-long psychological issue to the victims.

Detailing the journey of the project titled, “Emerging Patterns and Determinants of Rape: Comparative Study of Rural-Urban Communities in Nigeria”, the 8-man team presented its key findings at the event.

The team, which had its principal investigator/ deputy vice-chancellor, Academics, Prof Olufunsho Omobitan, looked at different aspects of the malaise which according to them formally kicked off in April 2021 with funding from TETFund and concluded earlier this year, producing some interesting findings.

Prof Omobitan explained that the team used a mixed-method approach to generate and analyse quantitative and qualitative data on emerging patterns and determinants of rape among females in rural and urban communities in 12 Nigerian states, with findings suggesting that rape incidence is generally higher in rural than in urban communities in Nigeria.

More interestingly, outcomes of the research also suggest that family members and neighbours were the principal perpetrators of rape while listing childhood sexual abuse experience, ethnicity, childhood family situation and background as critical risk factors of various forms of rape.