Analysis of the psychological effects of rape on the academic performance of pupils: An empirical investigation from the Nigerian dailies

Abstract

This study analyzed the effects of anti-rape laws and policy on offenders in Nigeria as well as its psychological effects on pupils and adolescents’ academic performance in Nigeria schools. The population of this study consists of rape victims and offenders across the country. The descriptive statistical results from this survey shows that about 89% of rape victims in Nigeria occur among girls between the age of 2-18 while 10% occur between the age of 18 and above among women of reproductive age. Meanwhile, the chances of boys/men being a rape victim is about 0.001%. The study also found a somewhat non-significant relationship between anti-rape laws and policy in Nigeria and the degree of punishments melted out on perpetrators of rape. Therefore, this study queried the efficacy of anti-rape laws and policy of Nigerian system to actually bring about revolution in the sexual violence against girls and women in Nigeria society. In addition, the statistical results from the correlation analysis carried out in this study also found a positive and significant association between the psychological trauma resulting from rape, pupils and adolescents academic performance in Nigeria schools as indicated by 0.9. Based on the outcomes of the empirical findings in this survey, this study recommends that, psychologists, teachers, counselors, parents and guardians should embark on awareness campaign through the media, fliers and classroom teaching on the importance of rape victims to speak out whenever they are being sexually abused or raped. To this end, the study also recommends that the international community, including the United Nations and African Union as well as all stakeholders should encourage and support Nigeria government in implementing fully all international and regional treaties, declarations, resolutions and recommendations aimed at condemning, prohibiting and preventing all acts of violence against women most  especially rape.

Keywords: Sexual violence, rape, anti-rape laws and policy, psychological trauma, rape victims, perpetrators of rape, characteristics of rape victims and offenders, pupils, adolescents, academic performance.