EXTENDING RAPE FRONTIERS: In Light of Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 and Mass Media Portrayals (original) (raw)

Background: EXTENDING RAPE FRONTIERS: In Light of Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015 and Mass Media Portrayals interrogates extant conceptions and legislations of rape, informed by feminist principles of equity, inclusion, and intersectional approaches and the importance of understanding power relations. This study questions existing gender assumptions and draws attention to overlooked male sexual victimization and is therefore a courageous attempt to explore alternative approaches to the overlooked crossgender sexual victimization and exploitation just as it may sound antisocial. Obviously, rape afflicts females predominantly while mass media reportage is slanted and inadequate, but rather than apportion blame, this paper examines the shared, communal responsibility of the mass media, individual duty of care, survival and selfpreservation strategies aimed at dissuading the perpetrators of the crime and encouraging gender-harassed and exploited victims to speak up towards reducing the occurrence of this heinous and degrading crime. Methodology: This researcher reviewed the expanded definitions and perspectives of the definition and conception of rape as seen under the Criminal and Penal Codes in favour and the VAPP Act, 2015. Extensive literature and case law were also reviewed, analysed, synthesised and highlighted. Due to dearth accessible research statistics in Nigeria, the author draws from other jurisdictions such as the United States and the United Kingdom to make the case. Conclusions: Literature suggests a high prevalence of sexual victimization among males that in many circumstances mirror those found among females but highly under-reported due to reliance on traditional gender stereotypes and inconsistent definitions. In this regard, the scholar opines that the mass media should up their game and recommends changes that move beyond traditional gender assumptions, which can harm everyone.