Knowledge and Awareness of Rape Myths among the People of Gusau Town in Zamfara State, Nigeria: A Medical Sociology Perspectives

This research work is aimed at the study of the knowledge and awareness of rape myths among the people of Gusau town in Zamfara State Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study are to find out the knowledge and awareness of the people of Gusau town on female rape myths; to discover the extent of knowledge and awareness of the people of Gusau town on male rape myths; examine the knowledge and awareness of the people of Gusau town on alcohol and substance rape myths; to know the knowledge and awareness of the people of Gusau town on dating rape myths; and to suggest ways through which rape myths are confront and tackle. The study used the quantitative method of research for data collection. The quantitative data was collected using questionnaire as research instrument. Among the 300 questionnaires distributed 279 was return. Finding from this study demonstrate the level of acceptance of rape myths. Additionally, this study recommends that since rape myth can harmfully affect the victims of sexual violence, contributing to increased shame through aspects such as victim-blaming it is better to provide a strong knowledge and awareness among the general public about holding and believing of such rape myth.