Abstract
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 socio-cultural contexts that influence
violence and cross-culturally sensitive strategies to protect adolescents from violence.