EXPERIENCE SURVIVOR OF PSYCHOSOCIAL EFFECTS OF RAPE IN KONDUGA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, BORNO STATE

Rape remains a pervasive violation of human rights and a significant public health concern in Nigeria, particularly in Konduga Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State, where high rates of sexual violence have been reported amid post-insurgency recovery. This study investigated the prevalent types of rape, the psychosocial effects on survivors, and existing intervention responses in Konduga LGA. A descriptive survey design was employed, targeting 28 survivors of rape, 14 community members, and 5 gender-based violence (GBV) personnel (N=47). Data were collected using questionnaires, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews, supplemented by secondary records from police stations and Auno Referral Hospital (2013–2017). Findings revealed that child rape was the most prevalent type (89% of hospital-reported cases; 28.6% of survey responses), predominantly affecting girls below 18 years (67.9% of survivors). Key psychosocial effects included trauma (50%), humiliation (20%), emotional depression (15%), stigmatization (10%), and persistent fear (5%). Over 92% of community respondents perceived Konduga as having a serious rape problem. Intervention responses were limited; while all survivors accessed medical care and counselling at hospitals, only 50% reported cases to police due to stigma, fear of blame, and family pressure. Counselling significantly reduced long-term effects in 89% of survivors who attended sessions. The study concludes that rape in Konduga LGA disproportionately affects children and is driven by poverty, cultural myths, substance abuse, and weak justice systems. Effective recovery is hindered by inadequate specialised psychological support and poor reporting mechanisms. Recommendations include mandatory trauma counselling training for GBV personnel, establishment of emergency sexual assault response units, intensive community awareness campaigns, and stronger enforcement of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015.