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Vol.1 , No. 3, Publication Date: Jul. 13, 2015, Page: 31-37
| [1] | Awosusi Ajoke Olukemi, Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education, Faculty of Education, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. |
| [2] | Ogundana C. Folakemi, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. |
The paper reviewed the literature on wave of sexual violence and non-disclosure by survivors. This paper discussed the prevalence of sexual violence, health consequences and the factors responsible for under-reporting of sexual violence in Nigeria. The study was anchored on the spiral of silence theory because the theory presumed that people are likely to keep silent if they know that their view will not be recognized or if they are afraid of being rejected or stigmatized. Studies revealed that despite the high prevalence of sexual violence, sexually violated victims hardly report their experiences. Some of the identified factors that serve as impediment to reporting sexual violence are fear of stigmatization, rape myths, government policy and insensitivity of the law enforcement agents to sexual assaults. Also, the health implication of sexual violence on survivors was found to be enormous yet, many of the assailants perpetrate the evil without any punishment for the act because of non-disclosure of the crime. It was therefore recommended that survivor of sexual violence should be encouraged to report assault through regular sensitization programmes. Also, government should put in place stiffer penalties for assailants and the policy should be adequately implemented to serve as deterrent to others.
Keywords
Sexual Violence, Silence, Survivor, Health Consequence, Influencing Factors, Nigeria
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