Exposure of Sexually Abused Adolescents to Societal Judgmental Attitude in Bauchi Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

The rate of sexual abuse among adolescent is increasing to an alarming rate in towns and cities. A good number of adolescents in Bauchi metropolitan population are one way or the other victims of sexual abuse on a daily basis. This paper examined the consequences face by sexually abused victims by peer groups at school and in their immediate environment. And also how do the victims cope with such attitudes. Literatures related to sexual abuse cases was consulted to have a wider knowledge. In order to find answer to the research questions questionnaire was administered to respondents in the study area to the sample population of one hundred victims using the simple sampling method. Interview and focus group discussion was also conducted to have an in depth understanding of the research problem. The data collected was analyzed using statistical package for social science (SPSS) and Pearson‘s correlation coefficient was used to determine the association among the research variables. The result shows that 52% of victims experience difficulties from societal behaviors such as mockery, given derogatory names, and treated unfairly at school and immediate environment. Consequently victims experience depression, anxiety disorder, insecurity, isolation, which influenced their attitudes towards different kinds of substance abuse and 61% are affected. Hence, leads to the increasing rate of sexual abuse cases among adolescent that comprise the largest population of Bauchi metropolis and when this problem is not truncated will lead to harmful wellbeing of the society.