Victimization by physical and sexual violence, and the perpetration and threats of rape among high school adolescents in Nigeria and South Africa

Comparative studies of adolescent victimization and perpetration of physical and sexual violence and rape are limited but crucial for understanding global patterns and effective prevention strategies. This study examined the victimization by physical and sexual violence and the perpetration and threats of rape among a convenience sample of 1,969 adolescents from 43 high schools in Nigeria and South Africa. Despite some similarities and differences in prevalence of the examined victimization and perpetration, the findings reveal that adolescent boys were more likely than girls to report victimization, suggesting potential fear of retaliation and stigmatization affecting female disclosures. Rape victimization and threats were linked to the perpetration and threats of rape. Notably, adolescents in South Africa were more likely to report threatening and perpetrating rape compared to their Nigerian counterparts. This comparative approach provides valuable insights into the sociocultural contexts that influence violence and cross-culturally sensitive strategies to protect adolescents from violence.