Psychological and socioenvironmental dilemmas faced by female victims post-rape in Nigeria

Background

Female rape is a pervasive issue that affects women globally, leading to numerous psychological and social consequences for victims. In Nigeria, women are particularly vulnerable to this crime both at home and in public spaces. Previous studies on rape in Nigeria focus on rapists’ identity, rape myths, and physical and psychological outcomes. To the best of the researchers’ knowledge, no prior research has investigated the combined psychological, social, and environmental impacts of rape on female victims in Nigeria. This study explores the psychological and socio-environmental challenges faced by female rape victims in Nigeria.

Methodology

We recruited 9 participants via a social network using a snowball sampling method and interviewed them via the video conferencing platform WhatsApp. Two participants were initially invited, and we recruited all participants chosen based on their professional engagement with rape victims. We transcribed each interview verbatim and analysed using NVivo v14 coding software, with manual coding repeated at two-week intervals to ensure consistency. The data were analysed using thematic analysis (TA).

Results

The findings reveal intersecting psychological and socio-environmental consequences for victims. Stigmatisation, victim-blaming, and systemic injustice contribute to a culture of silence surrounding rape. Victims often respond by isolating themselves, engaging in self-blame, and avoiding therapeutic support, leading to trauma and depression. The most severe psychological outcomes reported by participants included Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and suicidal tendencies. Furthermore, there is a significant scarcity of psychotherapeutic care available for rape victims, with most available services provided by the private sector, making them unaffordable for many.

Conclusion

We recommend policies to discourage societal practices that blame and re-victimise female victims, as these contribute to underreporting and increase psychological impacts. More efforts should be made to educate young girls about rape, provide safe spaces for discussing rape, and raise public awareness about the importance of therapy. We further suggest that strategies for rape prevention and detection must be developed within homes and communities, and the government can collaborate with non-profit organisations to establish rape response centres in Nigerian communities.