A study conducted by a Rape Research Team from Lagos State University, Ojo, in 12 states across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones has revealed alarming rates of childhood sexual abuse.

According to the study, data showed that nationally 35 percent of both married and unmarried women experience significant levels of sexual violence.

The research, titled: ‘Emerging Patterns and Determinants of Rape: Comparative Study of Rural-Urban Communities in Nigeria’, analysed data from over 3,000 females across urban and rural areas in 12 states.

The N34million research funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) established that there are evidences of childhood sexual abuse, rape among young females, women of reproductive age, elderly females and marital rape in rural and urban communities.

The team, led by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Prof. Olufunsho Omobitan, as the principal investigator, presented its key findings at the national dissemination seminar held at the ACEITSE Lecture Hall, LASU main campus.

Speaking at the seminar, Omobitan said the project fostered interdisciplinary collaboration in the institution, bringing together experts from the departments of Economics, Sociology, Counselling, Geography and Planning.

However, the Project Coordinator, Prof. Onipede Wusu, who provided details of the project, said the research is significant in many respects as rape has long-lasting effects on victims and makes them more vulnerable, noting that there is the need to put more efforts on child protection in Nigeria.

On their side, the researchers at the seminar stressed the need for government to design and implement the child protection law to prevent childhood sexual abuse in communities.

“Relevant government and non-governmental agencies should intensify campaigns against sexual violence in all ethnic groups in rural and urban communities. A sustained campaign against harmful lifestyles is also an imperative. Parents, guardians and young females must not underestimate the risk of rape attacks from family members and neighbours,” the team stated.

Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor, LASU, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, who hailed the team for the feat, said their achievement aligns with her administration’s commitment to make LASU the best university in the West African sub region.

She added that the achievement of this team takes the university closer to the realisation of the goal of making LASU a research and innovation hub.

According to him, “Rape is a global social and public health problem. In virtually all cultures, violent sexual engagement and defilement of all categories of females is a disturbing reality. Hence, this study’s outcomes and recommendations must be taken seriously by all stakeholders in Nigeria, including government agencies, lawmakers, advocacy groups, community leaders, school administrators, teachers, parents, guardians, religious leaders, individuals and the public. It is incumbent upon us to safeguard our female children as well as adult and aged women who are the major victims of rape in rural and urban communities.

“This study, to the best of my knowledge, is an unprecedented most comprehensive and most profoundly empirical study on rape in Nigeria. Since this study covers all the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria, certainly, it has produced pieces of information that can be used to tackle rape in our society.”

Members of the research team who were drawn from five departments of two faculties comprised Prof. Olufunsho Omobitan, Prof. Onipede Wusu, Prof. Folashade Airat, Dr. Ibrahim Rotimi Aliu, Dr. Adijat Olateju, Dr. Alausa Waheed, Dr. Busoye Olupooye, and Dr. Sakiru Raji.