Increased incidence of gang rape in Benin-City, Nigeria: Is this a forensic epidemic?

Abstract

Background: Sexual violence is an inherent and wide-spread violence against women with serious impact on women’s health and well-being. It is a gender-based crime against both individual and the society. It is estimated that 25% and 40% of females in US and Nigeria respectively have been sexually assaulted.

Aim: The present study is a hospital-based study that is focused only on gang rape with the aim of understanding the epidemiological pattern as well as the characteristics of the victims and offenders.
Materials and Methods: All cases of sexual assault reported to the police in Edo state and its environs are usually referred to either Central Hospital, Benin City or the Police clinic for medical examination and issuing of medical reports. This study is a descriptive retrospective audit of all cases of gang-rape victims, attended to at Central hospital, Benin-City from January 2008 to December 2013. The case notes were retrieved and information relevant for this study, including age, sex of the victim, time and date of the assault, number of violators, and important clinical findings were extracted.

Results: A total of 133 female gang-rape victims were seen during this 6 years period. The mode, median and mean age of victims of gang rape was 17 years, 17 years and 17.38±5.67 SD respectively. The age range was 6-32 years and the peak age group was 16-20 years. Seventy percent of gang rape victims were in the 2nd decade. Two perpetrators were encountered in 67 cases, accounting for 57% of gang-rape cases with 63% of perpetrators as known victims.

Conclusion: Gang-rape is a common problem in Nigeria with most cases affecting the poor socio-economic class. It is on the increase in this study centre. The late reporting of gang rape cases creates so much negative impact on the legal outcome. There is a need to provide a holistic support to the victims and to review Nigerian laws on sexual offences for the good of all.

Keywords: Gang-Rape, Sexual violence, Forensic, Ep