INTRODUCTION
Domestic
violence has been part of the fabric of many societies and cultures worldwide.
It is so commonplace, that it has often gone unnoticed and failed to receive
the level of concern it deserves in light of the devastating effects on
children and families (Wolfe & Jaffe, 2009). According to Pillay (2011),
one-third of women in the world have experienced or will experience some forms
of violence in their lives while as much as 60 per cent of women have
experienced physical violence at least once in their lifetime. Malloy, Christ
and Hohlock (2002) stated that domestic violence occurs in as many as one in
every four United States families and approximately two to four million women
are physically abused each year. In Nigeria, high incidences of domestic violence
have also been recorded (British Council, 2012). Obi and Ozumba (2007) stated
that 70 per cent of couples experienced abuse in their families with 92 per
cent of the victims being female partners and the remaining 8 per cent were
male. Obviously, more women are exposed to domestic violence.
Domestic
violence (DV) occurs in all settings and among all socioeconomic, religious and
cultural groups. The overwhelming global burden of DV is borne by women. 1 It
is a global burden with serious public health and social implications. It is a
malady that cuts across gender and class borders.2 Affecting both males and
females even though this study focuses on violence against married women
perpetrated by their partners. Although women can be violent in relationships
with men, often in self-defence, and violence sometimes occurs in same-sex
partnerships, the
most
common perpetrators of violence against women are male intimate partners or
ex-partners.3 By contrast, men are far more likely to experience violent acts
by strangers or acquaintances than by someone close to them.4Many authors use
the terms domestic violence and intimate partner violence (IPV)
interchangeably.The term „domestic violence‟ is used in many countries to refer
to partner violence but the term can also encompass child or elder abuse, or
abuse by any member of a household.The World Health Organization (WHO) defines
intimate partner violence as “behavior within an intimate relationship that
causes physical, sexual or psychological harm, including acts of physical
aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse and controlling behaviours.†Women
of reproductive age are more vulnerable to abuse by intimate partners than by
any other perpetrator. The scourge of DV is seen among pregnant women
worldwide, and in Africa a strong link between IPV and HIV infection has been
shown by different researchers.
Violence
against women is a term used to collectively refer to violent acts that are
primarily or exclusively committed against women. The United Nations General
Assembly defines violence against women as any act of gender-based violence
that results in, or is likely to result in physical, sexual or mental harm or
suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary
deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life. The
World Health Organization multi-country study indicated that worldwide domestic
violence was widespread in all the countries studied.With 13–61% reported ever
having experienced physical violence by a partner, 6–59% reported sexual
violence by a partner at some point in their lives, and 20–75% reported
experiencing one emotionally abusive act, or more, from a partner in their
lifetime. Studies done in Africa demonstrate a very high incidence of DV as
highlighted in a systematic review done by SimukaiShamu et al 2011. A study in
eastern Nigeria showed that 92% of the victims of IPV were women while only 8%
were men.9 Domestic violence appears with different manifestations and forms,
which include: physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, spiritual abuse, economic
abuse and emotional or psychological abuse. The impact of DV is far reaching
having physical and mental health implications. Murder represents an extreme
consequence of DV which is not uncommon.
Violence
has been defined by Leo (1994) as the unlawful use of force or threat on fellow
human beings. It is any action, behaviour, or attitude against other people
based on anger and frustration, which could lead to injury or harm. Fighting,
beating other people by any means, rioting, destruction of lives and
properties, and even wars are such actions that amount to violence in the
society. It is now recognized that threatening other people, denial of human
rights, harassment, intimidation or forcing people against their will
constitute violence. Domestic violence has been defined by the World Health
Organisation - WHO (2011) as the range of sexually, psychologically and
physically coercive acts used against women by current or former male intimate
partners whilst women, men, boys and girls can be victims of domestic violence;
women and girls are disproportionately affected. Furthermore, the UN General
Assembly, in adopting the 1993 declaration on the elimination of violence
against women defined gender-based violence as any art of violence that results
in physical, sexual, or psychological harm or suffering of women; including
threats of such acts, coercion, or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether
occurring in public or private life (Population Reference Bureau, 2001). Hence,
domestic violence involves a wide range of events by a current or past partner
that could lead to the discomfort of women at home. Aihie (2009) identified
various forms of domestic violence such as physical abuse, sexual abuse,
neglect, economic abuse, emotional abuse and spiritual abuse.
Aihie
(2009) defined emotional abuse as threatening a person or his or her possession
or harming a person’s sense of self-worth by putting him/her at risk of serious
behavioural, cognitive, emotional or mental disorders. Other forms of emotional
abuse include name-calling, criticism, social isolation, intimidating or
exploitation to dominate, routinely making unreasonable demand, terrorizing a
person verbally or physically and exposing a child to violence. Shouting at a
partner has been found to be the most common form of domestic violence (Obi
& Ozumba, 2007).
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