CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF RAPE/SEXUAL ABUSE OF GIRL-CHILD STUDENTS IN PUBLIC SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS OF KAITA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, KATSINA STATE
Yero Musa
Abstract
This study investigated the causes and effects of rape/sexual abuse of girl-child students in public senior secondary schools of Kaita Local Government Area, Katsina State. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. Two purposes two research questions guided the study. The sample for the study consisted of 220 SS 3 students (males and females) randomly selected from four out of the seven existing public senior secondary schools in the area of study. A self-developed instrument of 23 items questionnaire was used for data collection. A test-retest method was used to determine the instrument reliability index of 0.80 which was calculated using Pearson Product Moment. Responses to the questionnaire items were on a modified four-point Likert-type scale ranging from strongly agree, agree, strongly disagree and disagree. Descriptive statistics such as frequency counts and means scores were used to analyze the two research questions. The study established that the respondents are aware of the existence of causal factors of rape/sexual abuse stated in this study such as socio-economic, social media, psychological, peer influence and dressing. Similarly, the study established that respondents are much aware of the effects of rape and sexual abuse of the girl-child such as reduction of self-esteem; insecurity, instability and lower levels of satisfaction in intimate relationships; high rates of delinquency conduct problem; withdrawal syndrome, in-active in classroom activities and poor academic performance; mental health problems; acquisition of sexual transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancy. The study recommended among others that: there is need for government to consistently conduct an enlightenment campaign about rape and sexual abuse of children especially the girl-child on all media. In addition, there should be strict enforcement of institutional rules and regulations in schools by school authorities.
Keywords: Causal factors, effects, rape/sexual abuse, girl-child students and counseling.