Pattern of rape and femicide during COVID-19 lockdown: content and discourse analysis of digital media reports in Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Rape and associated femicide have stood out as the most typical forms of violence in Nigeria. There appears to be a paucity of information on the pattern of rape in Nigeria, particularly in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. We explored the pattern of rape and femicide incidences in Nigeria during and after the COVID-19 lockdown. A convergent mixed methods design, involving quantitative content analysis and critical discourse analysis was used to establish the pattern in rape and femicide incidences as reported in diverse digital media platforms. A total of 48 rape cases were investigated, of which 12.5% resulted in femicide. More than half (55.6%) of the rape victims were aged 11 to 20 and were predominantly female (97%). A large percentage (42.9%) of the rape perpetrators were between 31 and 45 years of age and were all male. The incidence of rape increased steadily from 5.1% in March to peak at 33.3% in June and declined sharply by the end of August 2020 to 5.1% with rape being more prevalent in Northern Nigeria. There is a need for urgent measures by relevant stakeholders to curtail rape in Nigeria.

KEYWORDS:

• Rape
• femicide
• discourse
• content
• cases
• digital media

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. A capable guardian in this context has a ‘human element’, that is usually a person who, by their mere presence, would deter potential offenders from perpetrating a crime explained that the mere presence of guardians serve to prevent crime, while their absence increases the likelihood of crime. This is because the presence of a guardian ‘serves as a gentle reminder that someone is looking’. Felson and Eckert (2016, p. 31) explain that ‘the most significant guardians in society are ordinary citizens going about their daily routines’. A capable guardian could also include other technologies or informal networks such as CCTV, provided that someone is monitoring the data, police patrols, co-workers, friends, neighbours. It is important to also recognize that not all those assigned as guardians are ‘capable’.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Michael O. Ogunlana

Dr Michael O. Ogunlana is Assistant Director of Physiotherapy Services in the Department of Physiotherapy, Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria and a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban, South Africa

Ifeoma B. Nwosu

Mrs Ifeoma B. Nwosu is a physiotherapist and lecturer in the Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.

Abiola Fafolahan

Mr.Abiola Fafolahan is a physiotherapist in the Department of Physiotherapy, Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria

Bose F. Ogunsola

Ms Bose F. Ogunsola is a physiotherapist at the Isolo General Hospital, Lagos State, Nigeria

Toluwatomi M. Sodeke

Mrs Toluwatomi M. Sodeke is a lawyer at the Office of the State Counsel, Ministry of Justice, Ogun State Secretariat, Oke Imosan Abeokuta Ogun State Nigeria

Opeyemi Mercy Adegoke

Mrs Opeyemi Mercy Adegoke is a physiotherapist and a post-graduate student in the Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Nse A. Odunaiya

Dr Nse A. Odunaiya is a physiotherapist and a senior lecturer in the Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Pragashnie Govender

Associate Prof Pragashnie Govender is an occupational therapist and lecturer at the College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban, South Africa