The Menace of Rape in the Present Day Nigerian Society and The Effect on Its Victims: The Way Forward

Abstract

Recently, there has been a great increase in the rate at which rape is being reported in the Nigerian society. Therefore, this article seeks to adumbrate the implications, possible causes of rape and proffers ways forward. The paper identify Rape as encapsulated under Section 357 of the Nigerian criminal code which is applicable to the southern part of Nigeria as “any person who has unlawful carnal knowledge of a woman or girl without her consent, if the consent is obtained by force or by means of threats or intimidation of any kind or by fear of harm, or by means of false and fraudulent representation as to the nature of the act, or in. And that in the case of a married woman, by impersonating her husband is guilty of an offense which is called rape. The possible causes of rape identified includes indecent dressing by the women, drug abuse by the men, rapists in Nigeria are so free due to the laxity of laws against rapist, and culture of silence to avoid social stigma, shame and public embarrassment associated with rape by female victims. To tackle the issue of rape, there should be public enlightenment to make everyone be aware that anybody can be raped, old or young. Equal education of both male and females will go a long way to reduce the rate of rape. Preventive measured should be preferred to curative measures .Women should be encouraged to dress decently and the female victims should speak up and report rape cases to the appropriate authorities.