CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Rape is described as unlawful sexual activity, most commonly involving sexual intercourse, carried out against the victim's will by force or threat of force, or with a person who is unable to give legal consent due to minor status, mental disorder, mental disability, intoxication, unconsciousness, or deceit. The crime of rape has been merged with the crime of sexual harassment in many jurisdictions. Rape was once thought to be the product of unrestrained sexual desire, but it is now recognized as a pathological demonstration of authority over a victim.since the late twentieth century, the legal concept of rape has evolved significantly. Rape, according to the conventional definition, was an act of sexual intercourse between a man and a woman against her will, regardless of gender or age. A rapist or victim may now be an adult of either gender or a child, according to current understanding of rape. While rape may happen in same-sex relationships, it is most commonly committed by a man against a woman. There is also a growing trend to label any act of sexual intercourse between a husband and his wife against her will as rape, as well as forced prostitution and sexual slavery.Rape is sometimes clarified or excused as a result of racial, ethnic, or class hatred, or as a result of a patriarchal society in which women are seen as men's property. Rape is a serious crime that is regarded as a felony in most countries with common-law systems, regardless of its source. In certain rape cases, the accused's guilt or innocence is determined by whether or not the victim consented to sexual contact. In certain cases, determining consent will lead to emotionally draining cross-examinations of rape victims in court. As a result, many rape victims choose not to report the incident to the authorities or to press charges against their attackers.And when brought to trial, those accused of rape have a higher-than-average rate of acquittal, owing to the difficulty of proving a crime with no third-party evidence and the fact that women's testimony is often given less weight than men's. As a result, rape is both underreported and underpunished. Many jurisdictions have enacted rape shield laws, which restrict the right of the defendant's attorney to use the accuser's sexual background as evidence, in order to protect women from degrading cross-examination.Rapists' psychological motives are more nuanced than previously believed. They may involve the urge to punish, exact vengeance, inflict pain, demonstrate sexual prowess, or exert power through fear.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The extent of psychological distress varies from person to person; many people experience the effects for years, even with extensive supportive therapy. Many psychologists consider rape as a form of torture.a permanent mutilation of an individual's life due to the significant psychological damage it causes. In addition to the psychological consequences of rape, victims of rape in certain cultures risk ostracism or even death at the hands of relatives who want to keep their family's honor (victims of abduction without rape may be treated in the same way).Victims of rape have a variety of psychological responses, but they typically involve feelings of guilt, embarrassment, confusion, anxiety, and anger. Victims also describe a pervasive sense of defilement, an inability to feel clean, an intense sense of weakness, and a paralyzing sense of powerlessness over their lives. Many people are terrified of returning to the scene of the crime, of being tracked, and of all sexual relationships.In traditional cultures, a husband will often refuse or abandon his wife after she has been raped, either by repudiation or divorce, or by leaving home for increasingly long periods of time. When the husband stays, he often neglects, isolates, or mistreats his wife (especially by refusing to have sex with her). A raped spouse may be barred from the conjugal bed or prohibited from preparing meals for her husband in some cultures. A rape victim's husband will often take a second wife in countries where polygamy is practiced. If the woman becomes pregnant as a result of rape, the chances of being rejected or divorced increases.Rape victims may be unable to care for or meet the needs of their children for a variety of reasons, including physical (long convalescence from injuries suffered, disability caused by the rape, etc. ), psychological (trauma, psychiatric depression, psychotic delirium and cultural (in some cultures, rape victims are not permitted to nurse or cook food for their children). And when they are permitted to carry out their parental responsibilities, they often become irritable or abusive toward their children.Sexual abuse may have a negative impact on a victim's mental health, with short, medium, and long-term repercussions. The victim may exhibit a wide range of physical, mental, cognitive, and behavioral symptoms in the hours and days following the incident. Despite the fact that they might be disturbing or strange, the majority of these symptoms are considered natural or at the very least anticipated responses to a traumatic and severe case. They can be difficult to deal with for the victim and her family or friends.

OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The following are the primary objective of the study

1.     To investigate the mental impact of rape on a girl child

2.     To examine how rape affect the health of the victims

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What is the mental impact of rape on a girl child?

2. How does it affect the health of the victims?

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study will of significance to the general public as it will serve as an awareness purpose and bring to the knowledge of what rape victims go through. it will also serve as a reference material to researchers

SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The purpose of this research is to investigate the mental and health effect of rape on a girl child. The sample respondent of this study will be Calabar municipality Lga

LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

Finance,time constraint and lack of research materials were the challenges the researcher encountered during the course of this study

DEFINITION OF TERMS

RAPE:Rape, unlawful sexual activity, most often involving sexual intercourse, against the will of the victim through force or the threat of force or with an individual who is incapable of giving legal consent because of minor status, mental illness, mental deficiency, intoxication, unconsciousness, or deception.

MENTAL HEALTH:Mental health, defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), is "a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community"

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