Experience of Nigerian Female Prostitutes Who Are Victimized by Police
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Walden University ScholarWorks Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection 2021 Experience of Nigerian Female Prostitutes Who Are Victimized by Police Anitha Scroggins Walden University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations Part of the Psychology Commons This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies Collection at ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Walden University College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This is to certify that the doctoral dissertation by Anitha Scroggins has been found to be complete and satisfactory in all respects, and that any and all revisions required by the review committee have been made. Review Committee Dr. Sharon Xuereb, Committee Chairperson, Psychology Faculty Dr. Edward Keane, Committee Member, Psychology Faculty Dr. Jessica Millimen, University Reviewer, Psychology Faculty Chief Academic Officer and Provost Sue Subocz, Ph.D. Walden University 2021 Abstract Experience of Nigerian Female Prostitutes Who Are Victimized by Police by Anitha Scroggins MA, American Military University, 2013 BS, University of Jos, 2006 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Forensic Psychology Walden University February 2021 Abstract Nigerian police are not trusted by the population they swore to protect because they often assault, manipulate, exploit, and humiliate citizens as a form of intimidation to achieve a personal gain, especially from those who are involved in illegal activities like prostitution. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of Nigerian prostitutes and learn how they use adaptive coping strategies to cope with the stress of police victimization. This study’s underlying theory was distress tolerance theory, which was utilized to understand the emergence of adaptive coping strategies. Data were collected from semistructured interviews with nine street prostitutes in Abuja, Nigeria. Findings from thematic analysis indicated four emergent themes: experiencing constant psychological pain due to police violation and exploitation; feeling resentful due to unjust police actions on prostitutes; feeling helpless, resulting in stress; and growing feelings of social attachment among street prostitutes with other sympathizers to avoid police victimization. Findings indicated that prostitutes regularly need to seek unconventional ways of coping with the stress that comes with police victimization to ensure their survival on the streets and to maintain a stable psychological disposition. Findings may be used to educate public officers, especially in developing countries, to encourage respect for offenders’ human rights. Findings may also be used in the establishment of psychological intervention centers for victimized prostitutes and police misconduct bureaus at which victimized prostitutes can report cases of police abuse. Experience of Nigerian Female Prostitutes Who Are Victimized by Police by Anitha Scroggins MA, American Military University, 2013 BS, University of Jos, 2006 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Forensic Psychology Walden University February, 2021 Table of Contents List of Tables ......................................................................................................................v Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study...............................................................................1 Background ....................................................................................................................1 Problem Statement .........................................................................................................4 Purpose of the Study ......................................................................................................6 Research Questions ........................................................................................................7 Theoretical Framework ..................................................................................................7 Nature of the Study ........................................................................................................8 Definitions......................................................................................................................9 Assumptions .................................................................................................................10 Scope and Delimitations ..............................................................................................11 Limitations ...................................................................................................................11 Significance..................................................................................................................12 Summary ......................................................................................................................13 Chapter 2: Literature Review .........................................................................................14 Literature Search Strategy............................................................................................15 Theoretical Foundation ................................................................................................16 Literature Review.........................................................................................................18 Foundation of Police Corruption in Nigeria ........................................................ 18 Prostitution and the Law ....................................................................................... 21 Role of Public Opinion in Police Victimization of Prostitutes ............................. 23 i Effects of Socioeconomic Factors on Prostitution ................................................ 27 Prostitution and Criminality ................................................................................. 35 Female Prostitutes and Police Victimization ........................................................ 36 Victims’ Dependency on Prostitution as a Lifestyle ............................................. 46 From Physical Violence to Psychological Stress .................................................. 49 Coping Strategies and Challenges Adapted/Experienced by Prostitutes When Avoiding the Stress of Police Victimization .................................... 52 Research Methods ................................................................................................. 56 Summary ......................................................................................................................59 Chapter 3: Research Method ..........................................................................................60 Research Design and Rationale ...................................................................................61 Role of the Researcher .................................................................................................64 Methodology ................................................................................................................66 Participant Selection Logic ................................................................................... 66 Instrumentation ..................................................................................................... 68 Procedures for Recruitment, Participation, and Data Collection .......................... 70 Data Analysis Plan ................................................................................................ 71 Issues of Trustworthiness .............................................................................................73 Credibility ............................................................................................................. 73 Transferability....................................................................................................... 74 Dependability ........................................................................................................ 75 Confirmability ....................................................................................................... 75 ii Ethical Procedures .......................................................................................................76 Summary ......................................................................................................................77 Chapter 4: Results............................................................................................................79 Setting 80 Demographics ..............................................................................................................81 Data Collection ............................................................................................................82 Data Analysis ...............................................................................................................82 Evidence of Trustworthiness........................................................................................84 Credibility ............................................................................................................