Abstract
While global attention has been drawn to the reported spike in the rate of gender-based violence (GBV) occasioned by COVID-19 restrictions, there exists a clear gap in knowledge about incidences of GBV perpetrated by police officers in the course of enforcing COVID-19 laws. Drawing from the Nigerian experience, this qualitative study presents the accounts of 83 sexually victimized women. From the thematic analysis, their narratives of how COVID-19 lockdown facilitated their vulnerability to police sexual violence (PSV) were documented. Although the various forms of sexual violence experienced by the women during the lockdown are similar to pre-COVID PSV, in the current study, there appear to be more varieties of sexual violence, diverse tactics used by perpetrators, more factors determining vulnerability, and a greater opportunity structure for PSV. The findings highlight the need for revisiting existing models of PSV and reimagining governments’ policies in uncertain times to ensure public safety.
DISCLOSURE STATEMENT
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).