VICTIM PRECIPITATED CRIME: INTERROGATING PUBLIC PERCEPTION AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS RAPE IN IHIALA, ANAMBRA STATE
Keywords:
Victim-Blaming Attitudes, Rape Myths, Patriarchy and Gender Norms, Public Perception of Sexual Violence, Victim-Precipitated Crime TheoryAbstract
Rape remains one of the most pervasive forms of gender-based violence in Nigeria,
yet public discourse is often shaped by victim-blaming attitudes that suggest victims contribute to
their own victimization. This study interrogates public perception and attitudes toward rape in
Ihiala, Anambra State, through the lens of victim-precipitated crime. Using a mixed-method
approach, the study surveyed 250 residents and conducted 15 in-depth interviews with community
leaders, students, and women’s rights activists. Findings revealed that while some respondents
rejected victim-blaming narratives, a significant proportion still attributed rape to women’s mode
of dressing, night outings, and social behavior. The persistence of such perceptions reflects deeply
entrenched patriarchal norms that normalize sexual violence and undermine justice for survivors.
The paper argues for comprehensive public sensitization, legal reform, and community-based
advocacy to challenge myths around rape and shift cultural attitudes.
