Page 60 - IJPS-10-3

International Journal of
Population Studies Physical sexual violence in Sub-Saharan Africa

presented in this study suggests that the application of a displacement. While the victim may want to avoid shame
public legal sanction on erring persons or parties could be or stigmatization where further vulnerability to sexual
effective in certain communities/regions. However, such exploration is not impossible, the perpetrator may escape
sanctions could be unnecessary or constitute a wasted judgment by running away from the place of incidence.
attempt, especially where sexual behaviors are not gauged, Survivors are often ashamed, face stigmatization, and in
or where the society has sexual latitude. In a nutshell, a many cases, are often reluctant (if not totally refused) to
general pronouncement or intervention on sexual violence tell the family, friends, or report to the law enforcement
could be misleading and ineffective without touching base agents (National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
with the exact types of the sexual violence (rape, incest, & Division of Violence Prevention, 2022).
child sexual abuse, partner sexual violence, and so on). The consequences of sexual violence either in their
This review provides understanding into the specific physical or mental forms are often devastating. It is a
common types of sexual violence in the selected countries. threat to sexual rights and has both short- and long-time
While Botswana, Kenya, and Nigeria were ranked for rape consequences, especially on the health and well-being of
prevalence rates, the non-inclusion of Ethiopia in the the victims, and the community at large. Irrespective of
ranking could suggest that there is no rape data available the victim’s age, sexual violence involving penetration is
in Ethiopia. However, our review indicated the contrary, often unprotected and could be an inroad to unintended
showing rape is prevalent in Ethiopia, with data not being pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STI), in
officially captured. The highlight of the prevalence of addition to psychological trauma or symptoms including
child sexual abuse and sexual harassment in schools or depression (de Souza Costa et al., 2020). The consequence
academic institutions could help in monitoring educators’ of unintended pregnancies that occur through sexual
sexual misconduct and program intervention, especially violence often end in abortion or out-of-wedlock births. In
on sexuality education. It specifically signaled the need certain culture, where the boy/man involved is identified,
for radical improvement in school administration and the girl or woman victim will be married off to the boy
control over students’ sexual conduct. Thus, appraisal of or man because being pregnant in Nigeria is akin to
sexuality education in school and colleges is exigent, and consummation of marriage. Furthermore, sexual violence
boys’/girls’ empowerment capability to report incidence attracts physical, psychological, and social effects and could
of sexual harassment is extremely important. Legal endure for a short or long term or permanently. The risks
treatment (e.g., police intervention) is the most common related to sexual health range from unwanted pregnancy,
way used to curb sexual harassment in schools, but it will abortion, infection, risk-taking behaviors, including early
not be effective if the victims are reluctant to report on the onset of consensual sex and tendencies of having multiple
incidences. Notwithstanding, it is common knowledge that sexual partners, to non-use of condoms (Buss, 2023; Gusti
most incidences are not often reported or reported late & Agung, 2020; Jejeebhoy & Bott, 2003; Odeyemi et al.,
when the damaging repercussion starts to take hold. 2016). These risks exclude anxiety, depression, suicide
The reviewed studies highlighted that irrespective attempts, drop in academic performance, and reduced
of the forms (or the patterns) sexual violence may take, work productivity.
the activity could impact lifelong health of the victim. The finding that the perpetrators of sexual violence
The experience could negatively affect the well-being of are, oftentimes, known to the survivors underscores the
both the victims and their families (De Veauuse et al., need to extensively investigate the role of familial factors in
2022; Diraditsile & Rankopo, 2018; National Center for sexual violence, especially in cases like rape and incest. The
Injury Prevention and Control & Division of Violence suspected perpetrators could include friends, current/former
Prevention, 2022). The reviewed works also shed light intimate partners, and family members (National Center
on the increased risk for substance use, injury, negative for Injury Prevention and Control & Division of Violence
sexual health behaviors, feelings of sadness, hopelessness, Prevention, 2022). They may also include distant individuals
suicidality, including negative effects on age at marriage, such as coworkers, neighbors, and persons of authority,
multiple sex partnership, and unintended pregnancy, and sometimes, the perpetrators could be strangers,
among victims of sexual violence (Basile et al., 2020). The acquaintances, serial rapists, burglars, or attackers (National
economic repercussions include absenteeism from work or Center for Injury Prevention and Control & Division of
school, eventual dropping out from school, unemployment Violence Prevention, 2022). In general, the identified or
and increase in poverty level (Amoo et al., 2016; 2017; suspected perpetrators are described irrespective of the
2018; Wellings et al., 2006). Furthermore, sexual relationship or age, and they include parents, caregivers,
violence may stimulate unintended migration and forced acquaintances, strangers, and intimate partners, irrespective

Volume 10 Issue 3 (2024) 54 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijps.0621