The Mental Health Impact of Sexual Violence: Attending to the Unmet Needs of Rape Survivors in Bayelsa State
- December 22, 2020
- Posted by: RSIS Team
- Categories: Health Sciences, IJRISS
International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue XI, November 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186
Endurance Avah Zacchaeus, Ph.D1, Lawrence Ayah Iruo, B.Ed, M.Ed, BN.Sc, MSc.2
1Bayelsa State Ministry of Health, Yenagoa, Nigeria
2Department of Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing Sciences, Niger Delta University, Wilberforce Island,
Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Abstract
Current statistics show an alarming rise in the incidence of sexual violence and rape in Nigeria. This, potentially, constitutes a major mental health challenge. Apart from physical health impacts, research has consistently shown a strong nexus between sexual violence and poor mental health including suicide among survivors. Nevertheless, in Nigeria, the response of individuals, government agencies and organisations to cases of sexual violence and rape has predominantly been medico-legal, while ignoring the psycho-social and mental health aftermaths. Therefore, rape survivors are left with unmet short-term, intermediate and long-term mental health care needs. This paper reviews sexual violence, rape in particular being the most prevalent form of sexual violence in our communities with a view to enhancing understanding of the problem among the public and drawing attention of concerned authorities and critical stake-holders. It specifically addresses relevant concepts of sexual violence including definition, prevalence, factors that may influence its occurrence as well as common mental health consequences and psychological interventions for survivors. The paper concludes with key recommendations aimed at addressing rape survivors’ psychological support and mental healthcare needs as well as preventive strategies aimed at checking the menace in Bayelsa State, and Nigeria in general.
Key words: sexual violence, rape, mental health, survivors, Bayelsa State
1. INTRODUCTION
One of the core human rights values protected by relevant domestic and international statutes and conventions is individuals’ sexual autonomy and genuine choice or consent. Sexual contact without voluntary consent that violates a person’s sense of autonomy, control and mastery over their body constitutes sexual assault. In Nigeria, there are laws which protect the right of individuals to have control over and freely decide on issues that concern their sexuality including the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act of 2015, the Child Rights Act of 2003 (Adegbite, 2015), and the Criminal and Penal Codes (Adegbite, 2015; Otitodiri, 2014).
