Effects of Nurse-Police Facilitated Rape Education on Rape Myths Acceptance, Rape Victim Empathy and Rape Risk Behaviors of Adolescents

The study aimed at determining the effectiveness of rape prevention education facilitated by a police officer and/or a school nurse at reducing rape myths acceptance, improving rape victim empathy, and reducing rape risk behaviors among school adolescents. Quasi-experimental design with repeated measures was used and it was conducted among 228 adolescents in three public high schools in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The adolescents were grouped into: Control Group; Nurse Facilitated Group; and Nurse-Police Facilitated Group. Rape Discourse Education (RaDE) was conducted for the Nurse Facilitated Group and the Nurse-Police Facilitated Group and data collection was in four waves. Findings showed significant effect on rape myths acceptance (ηp2 = 0.12) more than on other outcome variables and the effect was observed up to a six-month follow-up. Implication for rape prevention education in the school setting is documented.