DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

This study assessed the impact of domestic violence on the academic performance of secondary school students in Egor Local Government Area, Edo state. A descriptive research design which involved the collection of data through the use of a questionnaire was adopted to solicit information. Three research questions were used to guide the study. The population of the study consists of senior secondary school 2 (SSS 2) students in Egor Local Government Area, Edo state. The sample of the study comprised of one hundred (100) students. Frequency count and percentages were used to analyze the data collected to answer the research questions and the reliability value was 0.81. The findings revealed that domestic violence can influence the academic performance of secondary school students. The studies indicated that domestic violence could be carried out as physical, emotional, verbal, psychological, sexual and economic abuse. The study further revealed that domestic violence is associated with risk factors which low self-esteem, antisocial personality traits, heavy alcohol and drug use, anger, depression, hostility and so on. The findings also revealed that domestic violence due to the risk factors involved affects students' class participation and school behavioural patterns which lowers their academic performance. It was recommended that awareness campaigns should be put in place as this will enable victims to always speak up. Also, there is a need for efforts to be made from the kindergarten level to inculcate more responsible behaviour on the child as this will help them handle anger and emotions rightly when they become adults.