Objective: To determine the incidence and pattern of rape among students in a Nigerian tertiary institution.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 students of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki over a-two month period (between March 1 to April 30, 2014). A well structured self-administered questionnaire was distributed to them in sealed envelopes. These were answered in their privacies and returned sealed.
Results: The response rate was 81.8%. The incidence of rape was 19.3%. 17.7% cases of rape occurred in fair-skinned females and only 1.6% occurred in dark-skinned females. Most of the cases of rape occurred in the age range 20-24 years, 12.5% and among the singles, 19.0%. Most rapes were perpetrated in the afternoon, 33.4%, followed by evening, 31.7%. 87.3% of victims recognized the rapists and could identify them. Most of the perpetrators of rape were relations of the victims, 60.3%. Most of the rape cases took place in the residence of the rapists, 48.6%, and the rapists were older than their victims in 100% of cases. 66.7% of victims did not make report to any person/authority and the commonest reason for not reporting was fear of shame and stigmatization, 70.6%.
Conclusion: The incidence of rape in this study was very high. The victims of rape should be encouraged to open up. There should be legislation of stiffer penalties for the rapists.