CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

The oldest and most prevalent institution in the world today is the marriage institution. In all

cultures, there is a particular sanctity attached to this institution, so much that it is particularly

considered to be a building block of any society. The pivotal position of marriage has made

domestic violence a subject of interest to various disciplines, government, religious sects and

professional associations (Arldine, 1994).

Domestic violence is a universal family problem with far-reaching consequences on family

building, cohesion, and peaceful coexistence. It is a menace that has devastating effects on

individual victims, their children, and the community at large. There is growing evidence that

violence within the family influences other deviant behaviors, such as physical assault, sexual

harassment/rape, wife battery/torture, and marital insatiability (Davies, 1999).

Domestic violence refers to a pattern of abusive behaviour that include a wide range of physical,

sexual, and psychological maltreatment used by a person in an intimate relationship against

another to gain power unfairly or to maintain the misuse of power, control and authority. Also,

domestic violence refers to a coercive tactics that can include physical, psychological, sexual,

economic, and emotional abuse, perpetrated by one person against intimate partners, to establish

and maintain power and control. Domestic violence usually occured among married couples,

dating and cohabiting partners. Adekeye (2008) and Laing and Bobic (2002) stated that domestic

violence is a form of control by one partner over another in a relationship that result into

physical, sexual, emotional, and economic domination, abuse, threats, and isolation. Ajila (2000)

in his study on wife beating in western Nigeria, it was found that 32% of women indicated that
they have experienced abuse, 21% believe strongly that wives should be beaten while 72%

believe that wives should be beaten once in a while.

In different parts of countries in Nigeria domestic violence is on the rise. Project alert (2001), in

a survey on violence against women conducted interviews with women working in the markets

and other places of work and girls and young women in secondary schools and universities, in

Lagos state, Nigeria. 64.4% of 45 women interviewed in the work place said they had been

beaten by a partner (boyfriend or husband), 56.6% of 48 interviewed market woman admitted

experiencing such violence. Similar interviews carried out in Oyo state and other parts of

Nigeria, yielded similar results. The incidence of domestic violence is high. In a study carried out

by Obi and Ozumba (2007), on the factors associated with domestic violence, in South East,

Nigeria, 70% of respondents reported abuse in their family with 92% of the victims being female

partners and the remaining 8% being male.

Base on the above background, the study is intends to examine domestic violence among couples

in Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State.

1.2 Statement of the Research Problem

This issue of domestic violence is a global phenomenon that is affecting many married couples.

The problem of domestic violence has led to the killing of many partners around the world.

Other problems associated with domestic violence are social stress, social learning, lack of

education, low income, alcohol and substance abuse, and family structure and it tends to be a

combination of individual, relational, community, and societal factors.

Researchers such Rhodes, Adamson and Arnolds (2000) indicated domestic violence, through

prevalent in Nigeria is still largely under reported, if reported at all. The causes of domestic

violence can be seen in two broad categories. The traditional causes such as culture, ethnicity
and religion are those factors that are commonly seen and discussed as leading to fighting among

couples. They are immediate causes that can be pin pointed as leading to violence in the home.

These include, among others, sex role, sexual dissatisfaction and infidelity, ego massage, income

disparity, religion differences, alcohol consumption, issues of infertility, influence of inlaws etc

(Adekoya, 2005).

Also, some reasons of domestic violence are those underlying remote factors such as frequent

verbal quarrels, occasional physiological quarrel, frequent physical quarrel and psychological

separation that are not easily seen or implicated, yet they influence violence behaviour in marital

relationship (Davies, 2013).

Incidents of domestic violence among married couples in Nigeria include battery, beatings,

torture, acid baths, rape, and consequently, death. It is, however, estimated that approximately

one in every three women suffers domestic violence and Intimate Partner Violence from the

hands of those who claim to love and supposedly, protect them. The menace is eating deep as

most of the victims do not speak out about violations of their rights, a result of nonchalance,

insensitivity, and negative response from their immediate family and society at large.

Ellsberg, et al., (2001) maintain that, women who are victims of domestic violence have lower

educational background and lower income capacity and they are more likely to become isolated

and develop symptoms of depression and the consequences for children always start in the

earliest stage. Also, men who are victim of domestic violence faces depression, substance abuse

and posttraumatic stress disorder. Abuse can trigger suicide attempts, psychotic episodes,

homelessness and slow recovery from mental illness.

domestic violence among married couples, impact of domestic violence on children in the home

as well as the measures on how domestic violence can be prevented in Okehi local government

area of Kogi State.

1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Study

The main aim of this study is to examine domestic violence among couples in Okehi LGA, Kogi

State.

However, the specific objectives of the study are:

1. To identify the factors responsible for the domestic violence among couples in the study area

2. To examine the consequences of domestic violence on children in the home.

3. To identify the measures are taking by the community in addressing the problem of domestic

violence in the study area.

1.4 Research Questions

1. What are the factors responsible for domestic violence among couples in the study area?

2. What are the consequences of domestic violence on children in the home?

3. What are the measures are taking by the community in addressing the problem of

domestic violence in the study area?

1.5 Significance of the Study

The outcome of this study will be of great benefit to the married couples, marriage counsellors,

children of violent couples and the society at large.

With reference to the married couples, the finding of this study will help them identify some of

this evil effects of violence not only on them as perpetrators but also on everyone who maintains
intimate relationship with them such as their children and extended family members or friends.

Thus, be able to control their anger.

Also, marriage counsellors will be able to identify the various forms of violence among couples

and be able to provide adequate counselling assistance whenever the need arises.

On the other way, children of violent couples will be exposed to the right attitude to violent

behaviour of their parents so as not to grow up as perpetrators of domestic violence. These

children will also be educated on the need to always develop healthy emotional life inspite of the

violent circumstance prevailing among them.

The society at large will be made to the damning effects of domestic violence on family

relationship. It will also assist the society to see and accept marriage as a loving relationship that

should be devoid of humiliation, intimidation, threat and physical injury.

1.6 Scope And Limitations of the Study

The study focused on examine domestic violence among married couples in Okehi Local

Government Area of Kogi State. This study will be limited to the following; factors of domestic

violence among couples in Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State, impact of domestic

violence on children in the home and measures of preventing domestic violence in the study area.

Also the study was limited to Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State due to finance

constraints.

1.7 Definition of Key Terms

In this study, researcher has used some specific terms whose operational definition is as follows:

Domestic Violence: Domestic violence has no single definition and might be seen from multiple

points of view, for example, spouse battering, kicking, assault, torment, constrained prostitution,

marriage and the rest.

through the legal and social institution of marriage.

Measures: It refers to actions or steps taken to achieve a specific goal or address the issue of

domestic violence.

Prevalence: This is the proportion which domestic violence occurred among married couples. It

is the percentage or a ratio and the extent or frequency which domestic violence occurred.

Factors: This means the causes or reasons for the occurrence of domestic violence among

married couples.