EXPLORING THE MECHANISM OF SOCIOLOGICAL APPROACH TOWARDS DECRIMINALIZING THE CHALLENGES OF RAPING IN NIGERIA

Abstract

The paper explored the mechanism of sociological approach towards 
decriminalizing the challenges of rapping in Nigeria. Rape is a hurdle to economic 
development, a public health problem, and a violation of women’s fundamental 
human rights. Rape victims tend to be silent as a result of humiliation and 
intimidation by the police, as well as the "embarrassment" of public 
acknowledgement. Rape is pervasive in Nigeria and is likely going to worsen if no 
steps are taken immediately to end this scourge. It is very worrisome that Nigerian 
females now lose their virginity through rape. The complexity and perplexity of rape 
in the recent time has been elaborately demonstrated. In an attempt to concretize the 
occurrence of violence against women and sexual assault against children, selected 
cases have been reported in order for the stakeholders to take this challenge 
seriously. However, multifarious challenges are identified as impediments in 
adequate handling of rape cases in the country especially lack of proper prosecution 
and mostly the action against the perpetrators of rape used to be contrary to the 
provision of law in the country. In addition, the study identified a number of 
consequences emanating from the incidence of rape in the society and of such are 
sociological, psychological/emotional, health and physical consequences.  In order 
to address the effects of rape on the victims, a number of coping strategies were 
identified as: Social support, cognitive therapy technique, counselling response. The 
concluded, the escalation of sexually abusive behaviour called rape cannot be 
undoubtedly deniable in the country. It was recommended that the government should establish special task force whose primary responsibility is to implement the anti-rape law especially by receiving the cases of sexual assault, harassment, abuse 
or rape in the society.