CURBING THE MENACE OF RAPE IN NIGERIA: ISSUES AND ACTIONS

Abstract

The issue of rape in Nigeria has become a worrisome social phenomenon of alarming proportion with its negative consequences on the victims and, their families and the society at large. To address this unpleasant situation, this work examines the issues of rape in Nigeria and actions to be taken to curb this menace. Specifically, the paper discusses the various types of rape prevalent in society;several factors responsible for rape; the effects of rape on the perpetrator's victims and the society,and measures for curbing rape in Nigeria. The paper employs feminist and self-control theories to explain the issues of rape. It uses secondary research such as books, journals, published articles,electronic media sources, and internet-based information to provide an overview of the current discussions. The paper concludes that rape is a global issue, it is a form of social deviance and one of the dominant crimes in Nigeria. It affects the victims psychologically, physically, and socially and itis a hurdle to national development in Nigeria. It is recommended that Nigerian law should be strengthened to give it the desired bite and all Nigerians must rise in the condemnation of rape in the society.