Assessing Domestic Violence in Nigeria By: Kehinde Macaulay

INTRODUCTION What is Domestic Violence? It is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. It is also known as domestic abuse, spousal abuse, family violence and intimate partner violence.

Statistics Domestic violence is an issue of global concern. In 2002, Djaden and Thoennes (2002), reported that in the United States of America, women experience about 4.8 million intimate partner-related physical assaults and rapes each year. Reports from a Humanitarian News Agency, IRIN (2007) show that 25% of women in Dakar and Kaolack in Senegal are subjected to physical violence. In Nigeria, Amnesty international (2007) reports that a third (and in some cases two-thirds) of women are believed to have been subjected to physical, sexual and psychological violence

Causes of Domestic Violence The Causes includes Psychological causes Jealousy Social stress Power and control Social learning

Types of Domestic Violence Domestic violence is perpetrated in different ways such as physical aggression or assault, sexual abuse, economic abuse, emotional abuse, spiritual abuse and negligence. Physical abuse Sexual abuse Economic abuse Emotional abuse Spiritual abuse Negligence

Type of Domestic Violence Domestic violence is perpetrated in different ways such as: Physical abuse Sexual abuse Economic abuse Emotional abuse Spiritual abuse Negligence

Effect of Domestic Violence Domestic violence has devastating effect on the victims who are mostly women with a resultant effect on the children. Some of these effects are highlighted as follows; Social Effect Physical Effect Psychological Effect Financial Effect Long-term Effect

Management of Domestic Violence The response to domestic violence is typically a combined effort between law enforcement, counselling services and health care. Medical Response Law Enforcement Counselling for Person Affected Counselling for Offenders

The way forward To mitigate violence against women, there is need for continuous public education with the aim of raising awareness among Nigerian populace. The use of television, radio and newspaper media can go a long way in improving the masses knowledge on domestic violence. It is also important to put more efforts into empowering women through equal educational and employment opportunities.

Prevention of Domestic Violence in Nigeria To mitigate violence against women, there is need for continuous public education with the aim of raising awareness among Nigerian populace. The use of television, radio and newspaper media can go a long way in improving the masses knowledge on domestic violence. It is also important to put more efforts into empowering women through equal educational and employment opportunities.

Prevention of Domestic Violence in Nigeria There is need to strengthen our judiciary system to ensure prompt and adequate trial of offenders, while the police in turn must be made to handle cases of domestic violence with utmost seriousness and professionalism. This will guarantee adequate protection and security for our women. Other following measures can be taken: Educating community Organization of the community Advocacy with the community leader Advocacy with religious leader Culture and tradition Information and communication Not conviction of offenders Training and enlightenment with our police force Advocacy to the legislature Abolishing some federal laws Enlightenment from mass media

Prevention of Domestic Violence in Nigeria Other following measures can be taken: Educating community Organization of the community Advocacy with the community leader Advocacy with religious leader Culture and tradition Information and communication Not conviction of offenders Training and enlightenment with our police force Advocacy to the legislature Abolishing some federal laws Enlightenment from mass media

Conclusions and Recommendations Despite the fact that women are culturally subservient and male dominance is the norm in Nigeria, the increasing difficulties and depreciating standard of living have put strains on many relationships, with attendants increase in violence, women are daily and regularly being exposed to various forms of abuses. The Nigerian Government through the Ministry of Women Affairs needs to pay more attention to issues of gender based violence. More research investigations are also needed in the area of gender based violence in Nigeria.