Victim's Perspectives' Towards Rape, Sexual Violence and Abuse of Women during Internal Armed Conflicts in Nigerian

Abstract

This thesis examines victim's perspectives on rape, sexual violence, and abuse of women during internal armed conflicts in Nigeria. This is achieved through a critical analysis of empirical interviews, analytical review of NGO statements, rapporteur reports on judicial response to conflict-related rape and abuses. As a critique of the Nigerian judicial responses, the research assesses and identifies discrepancies and practices with the aim of ideally resolving these through proposed policy and reforms. The originality of this research rests upon analysis of the empirical interviews of professionals and accounts given by victims to NGOs. This is cross-referenced with evaluation of past historical positions on conflict­ related rape. In addition, this study examines Nigerian criminal legal system in comparison with International Law of Armed Conflict. The research reveals several discrepancies between theoretical and practical law in these areas, such as the partial or entire failure to implement the criminal legal framework for the protection of women during internal armed conflicts in Nigeria. This study argues that these discrepancies emanate from challenges, including the lack of a comprehensive definition of rape, conditions set (as in the Penal Code for prosecution of rape crimes), and strict implementation of the legislation. Cultural and religious practices are also identified as impediments to victims' willingness to report crimes of rape, coupled with institutional ineffectiveness of the Nigerian
security systems. It further argues that unless the proposed recommendations are addressed, there will be continuous human right abuses perpetrated against women during internal armed conflicts in Nigeria.