DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Domestic violence remains a major social problem affecting women across the world. Studies have shown that globally, domestic violence accounts for a significant proportion of recorded crimes, with women being the most frequent victims. Women experience different forms of violence such as rape, physical battering, trafficking, and even murder. Although the level and nature of domestic violence vary from one society to another, its effects are often severe and far-reaching, leading to psychological, physical, emotional, and social disorders among victims.

In Nigeria, domestic violence cuts across different social, cultural, and economic groups, making it a persistent issue in society. Despite the efforts of international organizations such as the United Nations, through instruments like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as constitutional provisions aimed at promoting equality and protecting human rights, many Nigerian women continue to experience violence within their homes. Victims often face difficulties in obtaining justice due to social stigma, legal barriers, and inadequate institutional support.

This paper therefore examines the reported incidence of domestic violence against women, its various effects on victims, and the challenges associated with seeking justice. It further provides recommendations that may help reduce the occurrence of domestic violence and promote the protection of women’s rights in society.

This study aims at examining the causes, effects and remediation strategics for curbing domestic violence against married women in Ovia North East Local Government in Edo State. Three research questions were raised to guide the study. The design adopted for this study is the survey research design. The sample consisted of 200 respondents (married women) randomly selected from 1 church and 1 mosque in Ovia North East Local Government in Edo State. Questionnaires were used for collection of data from 200 (two hundred) respondents which were basically married women. The research instrument was validated by the researcher's supervisor and two experts in the Department of Educational Evaluation and Counselling Psychology. The test re-test method was adopted in testing reliability of the instrument after which the research instruments were administered by the researcher herself. The data obtained were analyzed using one sample t-test. Findings revealed that there is no significant difference in the respondent's response in the causes of domestic violence against married women in Ovia North East Local Government in Edo State based on religion. It was also revealed that there is no significant difference in the respondent's response to the effects of domestic violence against married women in Ovia North East Local Government in Edo State based on religion. There is no significant difference in the respondent's response regarding the remediating strategies in curbing domestic violence against married women in Ovia North East Local Government in Edo State based on the duration of marriage. Based on the findings it was recommended that law enforcement officers should keep proper document of all reported cases of domestic violence against women especially cultural and traditional practices that infringes on the right of women. It was also recommended that the judiciary also needs to put more efforts to nullify or declare customary laws that are repugnant as unconstitutional and should be repealed. Moreover the Civil Societies should intensify their efforts to enlightenment campaign against domestic violence domestic bearing in mind that domestic violence is not only against women but all members of the family

The impact of domestic violence on academic performance of students: implication for social work practice in Benin Metropolis, Edo State.” is written to critically examine the impact of domestic violence on academic performance of students in Benin City. The study also aims to examine the types or forms of domestic violence against students in Benin City. The Researcher obtained data from both secondary and primary sources like questionnaire, The paper concludes that the issue of domestic violence can not be over emphasized, this is becausedomestic violence are ofdifferent formsand can come in different ways such as psychological,emotional, economic, just mention but a few, Thus, the paper recommends the following Comprehensive and extensive premarital counseling should be given to intending couples on how to manage their marital relationship in order to avoid domestic violence. There should be public enlightenment through the mass media on the negative effects of domestic violence against students or children, especially at homes and schools. Social workers should vigorously teach against domestic violence in their places of workshops. Youths should be encouraged and taught to detest and not imitate brutish treatment of children around them. The community should socialize its members to the beliefs, values, knowledge, customs and norms of domestic violence. This would help to reduce domestic violence. Punishment given to grievously offending parents should be publicized, so that it can serve as deterrence to others. Social workers should organize seminars and outreach programmes to enlighten the people on the need for a violence free society with the home as the cradle.Young couples planning to get married should beguided on the ways to avoid violence in the intimate relationship of marriage. The government should establish and fund counseling centers at the community, and Local Government levels and employ professionalsocial workers tohelp victims and perpetrators of domestic violence