Sexual assault in Lagos, Nigeria: a five year retrospective review

Abstract

BackgroundCases of sexual assault are increasingly reported. However, Nigerian researchers have not given adequate attention to this subject despite its attendant social, physical and psychological consequences.This study assessed survivors’ characteristics, circumstances of assault and treatment offered with a view to reducing the incidence as well as improving evaluation and management.MethodsA retrospective review of survivors’ case records at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, between January 2008 and December 2012. Data was analysed using the Epi-info 3.5 statistical software of the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta U S A.ResultsOf the 39,770 new gynaecological cases during this period, 304 were alleged sexual assault giving an incidence of 0.76% among hospital gynaecological consultations. Only 287 case notes had sufficient information for statistical analysis. Of these, 83.6% were below 19 years, 73.1% knew their assailants (majority were neighbours), most assaults (54.6%) occurred in the neighbours’ homes and over 60% of victims presented after 24 hours of assault.Although 77.3% were assaulted at daytime, teenagers were likely to be raped during the day and non-teenagers at night (P < 0.001). Threat and physical violence were mostly used to overcome victims. Seventy three point six percent had Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) screening with one positive at onset. Post Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV was given in 29.4% of those eligible and emergency contraception in 22.4% of post-menarcheal victims (n = 125).There were neither referrals for psychotherapy nor forensic specimen collected. No record of post-assault conception or HIV infection was found during follow-up.ConclusionsAdolescents remain the most vulnerable requiring life skills training for protection. Survivors delay in presenting for care. Therefore, public enlightenment on the benefits of early interventions and comprehensive care of survivors with the use of standardized protocols are recommended.

Burden, pattern and effects of Rape among women accessing Maternal and Child Health Services in Jos, Nigeria

“…These figures are probably true representation of the occurrence of rape in the general population as our study focused on all women attending MCH units in the hospital. Our reported figure is however higher compared to figures from other regions of Nigeria with prevalence rates of 8.8%, 0.76%, 2.1% and 7.7% among gynecological consultations/ emergencies in Enugu, Lagos, Calabar and Benin respectively [14,[20][21][22]. These differences may be attributable to different study populations and very high denominators of gynecological consultations used in other studies.…”

“…Non-disclosure of rape by victims to a third party or law enforcement agencies is a major limitation in the estimation of rape prevalence. Among all forms of sexual violence, rape is the most under-reported crime as only about 39.0% of cases are reported to law enforcement agencies [16]. This is more so when it occurs in marriages and during childhood where most victims do not recognize it as rape [10,13].…”

An Overview of Sexual Assault Cases in Nepal

“…Similar findings were given by Akinlusi et al victim to the alleged perpetrator, majority were related to acquaintances (87%) compared to strangers (13%). Similar findings were given by Akinlusi et al 9 , Crime Records Bureau 2013 annual report of India as being 98% of the cases committed by someone known to the victim 11 and American study 1992 also gave the data of 80% of them victimized by someone they knew and national sexual violence resource center, USA stated that in eight out of ten cases of rape, the victim knew the assailant 12 . On physical examination of the victim's body, 36% of the total cases showed genital injuries compared to only 15% with extra genital injuries.…”

A medicolegal study of domestic violence in south region of Jordan

“…These consequences are seen both immediately and many years after the assault. Mortality associated with sexual violence may occur through suicide, HIV infection, unsafe abortion and murder, either during the attack or subsequently in “honor killings” crimes (Krug et al 2002; Akinlusi et al 2014). …”