Study Sheds Light on Tonic Immobility Experience Among Rape Victims in Nigeria

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The often-overlooked condition of tonic immobility (TI) experienced by women who have been raped was the subject of research by UKZN PhD Nursing student Ms Dooshima Dorothy Gbahabo, supervised by Professor Sinegugu Duma.

Gbahabo did her research among victims at post-rape care facilities in Lagos, Nigeria, delving into TI, which is described as an involuntary autonomic response to extreme fear.

Gbahabo says TI remains poorly understood and carries significant implications for the care and support of rape victims. Despite ongoing debate among researchers regarding its definition, its impact on the well-being of victims cannot be overstated.

She did face-to-face interviews with 13 Nigerian women rape victims, exploring their experiences of the onset of TI and the “meanings” attributed to these experiences.

The findings of the study revealed compelling insights into the onset of TI, including the onset of the condition prior to rape as a perceived response to an imminent danger and the onset of TI as a self-protection mechanism during the actual rape assault.

Additionally, participants reported various feelings such as self-blame, self-loathing, suicidal tendencies, and perceptions of TI as a divine intervention to protect them from further harm during rape.

The findings suggest that the onset of TI during rape may be a more common occurrence than previously acknowledged, thus emphasising the urgent need for specialised research and appropriate management and care for rape victims which is tailored to address its physical and psychological consequences.

Researchers emphasise the importance of understanding TI as experienced by victims, recognising it as a crucial first step toward effective management and support strategies. Without proper acknowledgement and intervention, the lasting psychological effects of TI could significantly impact the overall quality of life and legal outcomes for countless victims of sexual violence.

The study was titled: I Did Not Scream. I Could Not; I was Terrified. I Just Followed Them. I Blocked my Mind - then they all Raped me: A Narrative Inquiry into the Onset of Tonic Immobility Among Women Rape Victims in Nigeria.

Gbahabo says the work helps shed further light on the experiences of rape victims and advocates for more comprehensive care and support measures at post-rape care facilities and beyond.

Words: Nombuso Dlamini

Photographs: Supplied