DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

This study examines the Impact of Domestic Violence on Women’s Mental Health In Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The objective of the study is to assess the prevalence and forms of domestic violence experienced by women in Benin City to examine the mental health status of women who have experienced domestic violence, to explore the relationship between domestic violence and mental health disorders among women, to identify the socio-cultural and institutional barriers prevent women from seeking help. The study employed a descriptive cross-sectional design also known as survey design. The sample size of two hundred (200) women within aged 18 to 60 years who have been or are currently in an intimate partner relationship whether formal (married), informal (cohabiting), or dating will be randomly selected from Oredo, Ikpoba-Okha, Egor, and Orhionmwon Local Government Areas, Benin City, Edo State. The findings of this study revealed that most of the respondents are victims of domestic violence, domestic violence is a serious issue in most community in Benin City, societal attitudes towards domestic violence contribute to its prevalence, there are organisations and agencies that support victims of domestic violence in Benin City. This study concluded that the complex nature of domestic violence and its profound psychological consequences, which are worsened by cultural, social, and economic factors prevalent in the region. The recommendation of this study is to establish and enhance support centers that provide comprehensive services for victims of domestic violence, including counseling, legal aid, and medical assistance, and these centers should be easily accessible and equipped with trained professionals who understand the nuances of domestic violence and mental health.

his study is on the Role of Social Workers in Addressing Domestic Violence in Benin City, Edo State. The study population consisted of undergraduate students, and the sample was drawn using the Stratified Random Sampling method. The research instrument was a structured questionnaire, chosen for it's efficiency in reaching a larger number of respondents within a shorter timeframe. Content validity was employed to ensure the instruments validity, with experts and professionals in the field contributing to the process. A Test-retest Reliability approach was applied to assess the instruments reliability. The primary method of data collection was the questionnaire, which was personally distributed to respondent's, with the researcher providing guidance on the completion process. The analysis of the collected data involved using basic percentages and presenting them in tables displaying frequency distribution. Social workers provide immediate support during crisis, offering a calm presence and guidance on accessing emergency services as they facilitate access to shelters and safe house, allowing victims to escape abusive environments and find temporary refuge.

This project examined Domestic violence in Benin: A study of Ekosodin community in Benin City, Edo State. The objectives of the study are to identify the concept of domestic violence in Ekosodin, with a focus on understanding the scope and nature of the problem, examine the social, cultural, and economic factors that contribute to domestic violence in the area, and how they impact victims, perpetrators, and the community, assess the effectiveness of existing interventions, policies, and programs aimed at preventing and responding to domestic violence in Ekosodin, develop evidence-based recommendations for improving prevention and response strategies, and enhancing support services for survivors of domestic violence in the area, as well as find out the role of social workers in domestic violence in Ekosodin. The survey research method was used which consist of frequency, percentage means and a cross-abulation method was also used to test the structured hypothesis in the study. A total number of 400 questionnaires was distributed to women ranging from those who are single to those in relationships, to the married, separated, divorced and widowers. The statistical analysis was used with the goal of performing the empirical analysis and obtaining estimated coefficients, SPSS was used as statistical package in this study. From the findings, it was revealed that domestic violence is a widespread issue in Ekosodin that significantly impacts families and communities, often leading to long-term physical and psychological consequences. The study also, revealed that the nature of domestic violence in Ekosodin primarily involves physical abuse, with emotional and psychological abuse being less common. It was also revealed that patriarchal social norms and gender inequality significantly contributes to the persistence of domestic violence. It can be concluded that domestic violence is a widespread issue in Ekosodin that significantly impact families and communities, often leading to long-term physical and psychological consequences. Also, victims of domestic violence in Ekosodin often faces challenges in reporting the abuse dues to cultural and stigma and fear of social judgement. Also, the economic dependence on an abusive partner is one of the main reasons victims of domestic violence in Ekosodin are unable to leave their abusers. Substance abuse (e.g., alcohol or drugs) is often a major factor contributing to violent behavior in domestic relationships. And also the current legal frameworks in Ekosodin, such as the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP), are effectively enforced to address domestic violence. It can also be concluded that providing economic empowerment programs for women in Ekosodin, such as job training and microfinance initiatives, will help reduce their dependency on abusive partners. It was recommended that there is a need to enhance community education and awareness campaigns to address cultural stigma and encourage victims to report abuse. Public education should focus on challenging patriarchal norms and informing people about available support services. There is a need to promote economic empowerment for women through job training programs and microfinance initiatives. This will reduce women’s financial dependence on abusive partners and give them the means to leave violent situations. There is a need to strengthen law enforcement training to improve their response to domestic violence cases. Officers should be trained to handle such cases with sensitivity and ensure that victims feel safe when reporting abuse. And also there is a need to increase access to legal support services for victims of domestic violence. with sensitivity and ensure that victims feel safe when reporting abuse. And also there is a need to increase access to legal support services for victims of domestic violence.

Domestic violence remains one of the most pervasive social problems with profound implications for families and communities. This study investigates the consequences of domestic violence on victims’ families in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, with specific attention to women and children as primary victims. Guided by a mixed-methods approach, the research employs structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews to examine the physical, psychological, emotional, and social effects of domestic violence. Findings reveal that domestic violence significantly lowers women’s self-esteem, exposes them to severe health risks including injuries, disabilities, and adverse pregnancy outcomes, and increases their vulnerability to mental health challenges such as depression and trauma. Many women who reported abuse expressed a tendency to leave abusive relationships, but inadequate support systems, stigma, and fear of reprisal often hinder timely action. For children, domestic violence was found to negatively affect their interpersonal relationships with peers, emotional
stability, and academic performance. Victims’ children often experience reduced parental care, psychological distress, and difficulty in self-expression both at home and in school, which may lead to long-term developmental challenges. The study also highlights the gaps in institutional and community support mechanisms. While some government agencies, NGOs, and community- based initiatives exist in Egor LGA, access to counseling services, shelters, and effective law enforcement responses remain limited. The research concludes that addressing domestic violence requires comprehensive interventions including strengthened policy enforcement, community sensitization, psychosocial support, and empowerment programs for victims. The study recommends that government agencies should enforce stricter laws against domestic violence, ensuring that abusers are held accountable. Community education should focus on changing societal attitudes that normalize domestic violence. More shelters, counseling centers, and financial aid programs should be established for victims. Government and NGOs should establish more accessible psychological support centers for victims

This study examines impact of domestic violence against women in Egor local government area, Benin City, Edo state in conducting the study, a sample size of one hundred and fifty (150) respondents were randomly selected from the population. The survey design was adopted for this study. To collect the needed data and information, a questionnaire was designed in line with the research questions. The method of data collection included the questionnaire, in-depth interview and secondary records which essentially included documents relating to the impact of unemployment on youth restiveness. Data were analyzed by means of tables, frequency distribution and percentages. From the findings, it was revealed that inequality (superiority of male sex over females) is a cause of domestic violence. Also, it was revealed that domestic violence against women reduces the participation of women in the society. It was revealed that stereotyping (preference and dominance of the male sex over the female sex) which is present in some culture is a reason which exposes women to domestic violence while 62% of the respondents did not provide an answer to this question. Also, it was revealed that violence has a socio-economic impact on the women in Egor. From the findings, it was concludes that domestic violence is prevalent in various nations at an alarming rate. Women are the sufferers and are subjected to physical, psychological and sexual abuse in their home by partners, in-laws and in some circumstances by their brothers and parents. The study therefore made the following recommendations that There is a need of recognition at the national level of the issue and consistent follow -up should be made mandatory. There should be enough educational programs in all societies and cultures, both for women and men at the same levels. There should be enough opportunities of employments and participation in political parties along with security and safety for women and the seat allocation for recruitments of both genders should be considered on equality grounds. More funds should be allocated to women's development in the country. Government should to make sure that women have enough access to reach any political opportunity and there should be a training programme available for their capacity building on politics. There is also a need of reforms in the police departments and judicial processes which place constraints on women from accessing justice. Women police should be trained to deal with women facing domestic violence so that women could feel safe and protected.

This study was a critical study of how domestic violence is handled in Nigeria through the criminal justice system, evaluation of the legal institutions, institutional processes, and cultural/socio-cultural factors that guide the handling and adjudication of domestic violence laws in Nigeria. The results suggest that despite significant legislative progress, especially with the Violence Against Persons ( Prohibition ) Act (VAPP) 2015, significant implementation issues are present because the federal system has led to unequal domestication across states, which generates a patchwork of protection and legal pluralism that leads to discrepancies in jurisdictions. The study shows much discrepancy between the international human rights commitments of Nigeria and their implementation at the local level, particularly on matters of marital rape, emotional and harmful traditional practices. The paper also indicates institutional flaws such as the attitude of police that sees domestic violence as family affairs, lack of special domestic violence courts, and lack of victim support services, which are centralized in urban centres. Patriarchal norms, religious pressures of family conservation, bride price, and gender stereotypes of roles were considered as deep-rooted socio-cultural forces that strengthened silence, victim-blaming and economic dependence. Comparing the advantages of the United States, the study determines the advantages in specialized domestic violence courts, mandatory arrest policies, comprehensive victim support systems, batterer intervention, and coordinated responses of the community through VAWA. The report suggests the harmonization of the VAPP Act across the nation, the creation of special courts, training of the justice actors in a broad way, increasing support systems to victims, and cultural transformation programs. It concludes that though Nigeria has developed a good legal framework, there is still a huge discrepancy between the law and the practice, which requires more institution capacity, proper resource allocation, and social transformation to make a significant difference in protection of all victims.

In the contemporary digital era globally, social media has become an integral part of daily human interactions, especially among young adults and the middle-aged individuals. Platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) are frequently used for communication, entertainment, and information sharing. While these platforms offer numerous advantages, their overuse has been linked to addictive behaviors that may negatively affect interpersonal relationships and mental health (Kuss & Griffiths, 2023). In Nigeria, particularly in Edo State, the upsurge of smartphones and internet access has amplified social media usage, with increasing concerns about its consequences on family cohesion and domestic behavior. Social media addiction is characterized by excessive concern with social networking platforms, driven by an uncontrollable urge to use them, and devoting so much time and effort to them that it interferes with other important areas of life (Andreassen, Torsheim, Brunborg, & Pallesen, 2022). Individuals suffering from this form of behavioral addiction often experience mood modification, salience, tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, conflict, and relapse, similar to other forms of addiction

Domestic violence has become one of the most persistent social problems affecting homes and families in Nigeria and across the world. It occurs when one partner in an intimate relationship uses power, control, or force to dominate the other through physical, emotional, sexual, psychological, or economic abuse. This study examined domestic violence within married couples, using Egor Local Government Area of Edo State, Nigeria as a case study. The main
objectives of the study were to find out whether domestic violence is common among married couples, identify its causes, examine its effects, and determine possible solutions to reduce it within the study area. The research adopted a survey research design using structured
questionnaires as the main instrument for data collection. A total of one hundred (100) questionnaires were distributed, out of which ninety-nine (99) were retrieved and analyzed using simple percentages and frequency tables. The findings revealed that domestic violence is indeed common among married couples in Egor L.G.A. Major causes identified include poverty, poor communication, infidelity, drug and alcohol abuse, and cultural beliefs that promote male dominance. The most common forms of violence reported were physical abuse, emotional or verbal abuse, and financial abuse. The effects of domestic violence were found to include emotional trauma, depression, marital instability, loss of trust, and fear and insecurity, which greatly affect not only the victims but also their children and the community at large. The study concludes that domestic violence remains a serious social and public health concern that threatens the peace and stability of families. It recommends that government and non-governmental organizations should work together to promote public awareness, counseling services, economic empowerment programs, and stricter legal actions against offenders. It also suggests that premarital and marital counseling, as well as educational campaigns, should be encouraged to promote understanding and communication between couples and reduce domestic violence in homes