Thesis Abstract

Abstract
Rape is a heinous crime that deeply affects individuals and societies, with long-lasting implications on the victims, especially teenage girls. This research explores the perspective of African communities on the menace of rape and its specific implications on Christian teenage girls. The study delves into the cultural, social, and religious factors that contribute to the prevalence of rape in African societies and the unique challenges faced by Christian teenage girls in these contexts. Through a qualitative research design, including interviews, focus groups, and document analysis, this research seeks to understand the perceptions, attitudes, and experiences of African communities regarding rape. The study also examines the intersectionality of gender, religion, and age in shaping the vulnerabilities of Christian teenage girls to rape. By exploring the narratives of both victims and community members, this research aims to provide insights into the underlying factors that perpetuate rape culture and hinder the protection and support of teenage girls in African societies. The findings of this research highlight the complex dynamics surrounding rape in African communities, including issues of power, patriarchy, and socio-cultural norms that perpetuate gender-based violence. Specifically focusing on Christian teenage girls, the study uncovers the unique challenges faced by this demographic group, such as victim-blaming, stigmatization, and lack of access to comprehensive support services. By examining the implications of rape on the physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being of teenage girls, this research sheds light on the urgent need for holistic interventions that address the multifaceted consequences of sexual violence. Furthermore, this research contributes to the growing body of literature on rape in African contexts and provides valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and religious leaders working to combat gender-based violence. By centering the voices and experiences of Christian teenage girls, this study advocates for survivor-centered approaches that prioritize the empowerment, agency, and dignity of victims. Ultimately, this research underscores the importance of fostering a supportive and inclusive environment within African communities to challenge harmful beliefs, practices, and attitudes that perpetuate the menace of rape and safeguard the well-being of teenage girls.

Thesis Overview

INTRODUCTION

This chapter discusses the background to the study, statement of the problem, purpose of the study, significance of the study, delimitation of the study, limitation of the study, research questions, research methodology and finally definition of some important terms.

1. O. Oshibanjo admits that “Social scientists have taught us much about sexuality and love, yet there is enormous amount of ignorance about these forces in human life. Strong, divergent views prevail concerning the nature, the purpose and function of sex.”

Children undergo many physical, emotional and mental changes. Together these changes can throw the lives of young teens and their parent off-balance. As they enter puberty, young teens undergo a great many physical changes, not only in size and shape, but in such things as the growth of pubic and underarm hair and increased body odor. For girls, changes include the development of breasts and the start of menstruation; for boys, the development of testes.

One wonders why a man will decide to rape a 2 years old child. Why will a gang decide to rape a 16 years old girl and why will an uncle, a brother, a father, an in-law etc, rape one in his custody. If a girl of 13 years could be deceived by her friend that sperm is a blood tonic mixed with yoghurt and that if she does not take it by sleeping with a man in a day, she will die before 20 years old, that means there is a need to educate the teenagers about sex.

Besides, the natural reluctance to talk about the issue (rape) and the widespread misconception mistaken about rape have resulted in a great deal of ignorance, secrecy and shame surrounding the subject matters. Lack of understanding, awareness, and open communication about rape only add to the suffering of victims since rape affects girls more than any other group in the society.[3]

Girls deserve and need accurate information about its predisposing factors, its effects and management of rape victim. With all the aforementioned in mind and in view, the researcher is obliged to venture into this subject matter as an additional quality to this area of study.

Looking at several unpalatable reports that fill the news and media houses today, it is very obvious that the havoc that this sexual assault called “Rape” is causing in the life of its victims is unbecoming. The evil of rape seems to be aggravating per day and yet leaving the life of each victim desolate and crumbled, while most of the perpetrators are in no way brought to justice.

The researcher has being carrying this burden in the heart because of people’s ignorance and neglect of the various unpleasant issues confronting the teenagers especially the females in the society and importantly in the Christendom.

This research hence, intends to answer the following questions among others;

1. What is the general concept of sexuality?
2. What is rape and its effect on victims, especially the teenage-girls?
3. Why do perpetrators of this assault do what they do
4. Can men also be raped?
5. And finally, in what ways can this menace be alleviated if not possible to be totally eradicated in the society especially in the Christendom?

This research is to inform the general public and the Christian community in particular of the great havoc that the effect of rape has on Christian teenage-girls. It is also to proffer several ways of assuaging this menace in the society and importantly in the church.

• Significance of the Study

1. This study will help the researcher to realize the long awaiting dream of the need to get to the root cause of this menace of rape.
2. This study will serve as a source of material for future researchers into areas related to the subject matter and to seminarians because it is more of a pioneering work into such area of study as far as the case study is concerned.
3. It will help the church to embark on a mission of helping teenagers who are victims to get over this dilemma in order to focus on the good future God has for them without distraction.
4. It will also be useful for parents and guardians to know some of the psychological trauma that their wards are going through and how to be of parental help to them.
5. This study will unreservedly encourage all victims of rape to let go of the wound of the past and get up for their divine purpose of existence.
   • Delimitation of the Study

This research work deals specifically with the danger of rape and its implications on Christian Teenage-girls in an African perspective, LIFE Theological Seminary Community Ikorodu Lagos, Nigeria being a case study. It also covers the probable resolutions to this ravaging hazard.

The obstructions that confronted this research work are;

1. Insufficient materials in the libraries consulted regarding the subject matter, though the available ones were maximized.
2. Difficulty in getting the victims to open up for oral interviews.
3. The unwillingness of the General Hospital consulted to release the reports and statistics of rape cases.
4. Insufficient fund for the researcher to get to other relevant places like the Police Station, to get additional information.

This research work is approached historically. The main instrument used in carrying out this research work is Oral interviews with victims, a perpetrator and relevant people concerned; related literatures were also consulted such as textbooks, commentaries, dictionaries, newspapers, magazines and Christian journals.

The library of LIFE Theological Seminary Ikorodu Lagos, the researcher’s personal library and the libraries of the researcher’s friends were also considered. Internet facilities were made use of, in which the appropriate references were made where applicable and some pieces of information were collected from personal observation and verbal contribution of the researcher with some medical practitioners, psychologist and Christian leaders.

Menace: Possible source of danger or harm. A constant source of trouble and annoyance. A threatening act, gesture, or speech.

Rape: The crime of forcing somebody to have sex with you especially using violence.

Medical: Relating to, involving, or used in medicine or treatment given by doctors. A physical examination by a doctor to check a patient’s state of health.

Psychological: Connected with the way that people’s mind work and the way that this affects their behavior.

Spiritual: Connected with your spirit rather than your body or mind. Connected with religion.

Effect: A change or changed state occurring as a direct result of action by somebody or something else (result). An impression produced in the mind of somebody who sees, hears, or reads something, especially one that is deliberately intended or engineered.

Victim: Someone who has been attacked, robbed, or murdered. Someone who suffers because they are affected by a bad situation or by an illness.

Teenager: Someone who is between 13 and 19 years old.

Christian Teenage-girl: A Christian girl who is between 13 and 19 years old.

Assault: A violent onset or attack with physical means, as blows, weapons, etc.; an onslaught; the rush or charge of an attacking force.

Resolution: The act of finding a way to deal with a difficulty.

LIFE: Light house of International Foursquare Evangelism.

Keywords: AN AFRICAN PERSPECTIVE OF THE MENACE OF RAPE AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON CHRISTIAN TEENAGE-GIRLS