THE IMPACT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON CHILDREN IN IDEMILI AREA OF ANAMBRA STATE

ABSTRACT

This research work was carried out to examine the impact of domestic Violence on Children in Idemili Area of Anambra State. The research methodology utilizes descriptive statistics with simple numbers and percentages in the analysis and synthesizing of primary sources of data collected via questionnaire, as well as diverse literature on the area of study. However, the findings revealed that commitment by parents; caregivers and teachers in carrying out their responsibilities seem to be on the decline. The study further exposes some inherent challenges and abuses faced by learners in unsuitable living conditions. The implications of such situations are that learning institution should ascertain possible ways of liberating the affected learner and educate the parents, caregivers and teachers on the negative effects of perpetuating domestic violence. It is therefore, recommended that, Government should establish and fund counselling centres at the community, and Local Government levels and employ professional counsellors to help victims and perpetrators of domestic violence.

CHAPTER ONE

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

1.1 Background of the Study

Domestic violence is assuming national and international attention (Amnesty International 1995). It is a type of violence that is prevalent in many homes, and the World over. It is a form of violence that occurs in the form of defilement, assault, sexual harassment, and rape or battering, child abuse, for example denial of right, necessities and opportunities, threatening patterns of communication such as insults, harassment, neglectful lack of action.

Traditionally, in Nigeria, as in many other African countries, the beating of wives and children is widely sanctioned as a form of discipline (UNICEF, 2001). Therefore, in beating their-children parents believe they are instilling discipline in them, much the same way as in husbands beating their wives, who are regarded like children to be prone to indiscipline which must be curbed. This is especially so when the woman is economically dependent on the man. The society is basically patriarchal and women’s place within the scheme is decidedly subordinate. Domestic violence therefore functions as a means of enforcing conformity with the role of a woman within customary society. It therefore does not matter if the woman is economically dependent or not, her position, like that of the children is subordinate. Violence against women in the home is generally regarded as belonging to the private sphere in Nigeria and is therefore shielded from outside scrutiny. A culture of silence reinforces the stigma attached to the victim rather than condemning the perpetrator of such crimes (afrolNews, 2007).

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. The common forms of abuse reported were shouting at a partner (93%), slapping or pushing (77%) and punching and kicking (40%). It is however disturbing to note that many women do not know if they had been abused or not (afrolNews, 2007). This could be due to the acceptance of some abusive behaviour as ‘normal’. Oyediran and Isugo, (2005), in a study of women’s perception of wife-beating in Nigeria, found that 64.4% and 50.4% of ever married and unmarried women, respectively, expressed consent for wife beating. Reports in the print and electronic media reveal vicious attacks on women by intimate partners in different forms such as ‘acid bath’, rape, beatings, some of which sometimes result in the death of the victim. Many victims do not report for fear of reprisal from abusers or the belief that the police and the judicial system cannot help. The police are also reported to frequently dismiss complaints of domestic violence as a ‘private matter’. According to Cusack et al (1999), most forms of violence inflicted upon women and children in Ghana by persons known to them or in some cases by strangers are considered a “private matter” and given no name or value. In everyday life, we see our relationships in a variety of circumstances. According to Cussack et al (1999), violence is a forceful way of getting something from someone. It is also living with someone and being forced to do things you do not understand and things that hurt. Violence refers to those actions that have a harmful physical (intentional infliction of pain on an individual) or mental effect (forced to do things that cause displeasure) on the individual.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

        Interaction with some teachers in schools in Idemili Area of Anambra State reveals a growing trend towards violence and brutality towards pupils from their parents and homes. Often this violence plays out in other forms towards fellow pupils. In 2004, for instance a fourteen year old JSS student was arrested for raping another classmate. Further investigation revealed that the perpetrator of this crime had suffered domestic violence. Families are pre-occupied with the pressures of daily living to the extent that some homes are witnessing indiscipline among pupils. In one of the Nigerian Daily Papers in 2012, a fifteen year old JSS student was reported to have beaten his father mercilessly to an unconscious stage for failing to pay his school fees. The propensity for pupils to be violent is also in part influenced by the domestic ecology. From preliminary discussion with some teachers within selected schools within Idemili Area of Anambra State, it was noted by these researchers that some pupils had the tendency of acting out violently, showing disrespect to teachers and often using abusive words. While many of the schools apparently had systems in place to respond to these behaviours, aspect of these behaviours of pupils seems to have been condoned in some cases by the same parents.

1.3 Purpose of the study

The main objectives of the study were to:

• Find out the possible causes of domestic violence.
• Find out the effects of domestic violence on the school-going children
• Suggest ways of eliminating or reducing the occurrence of domestic violence.

1.4. Research questions

The main research questions were:

• What are the possible causes of domestic violence in Idemili Area of Anambra State?
• What are the effects of domestic violence on school pupils within area?
• What can be done to reduce domestic violence?

1.5 Significance of the Study

The problem of domestic violence is a national issue, and may not be limited to the area in which the study was carried out. The study among others will bring home to policy markers on the need to implement all kinds of laws relating to the rights of children especially those relating to violence emanating from the home. Again the study will bring to the knowledge of those adults who take the law into their own hands and inflict violent acts on children to be careful of the repercussion of their actions on the life of the adolescent. Finally, the study will create awareness among, opinion leaders and educational authority on the effects of domestic violence on the child and its implications to the Nigerian Society.

1.6 Scope and Delimitation of the study

The scope of the study is based on impact of domestic Violence on Children in Idemili Area of Anambra State.  The area of the research (study) is Day Secondary School Idemili Area of Anambra State (A) and Day Secondary School Idemili Area of Anambra State (B).

The research work will be limited to the analysis based on the questionnaire administered, and the relevant text (literature). Other limitation of the study is inability of the researcher to cover the entire population of the study.

1.7 Definitions of Terms

(1) Domestic: Activities carried out within the house.

(2) Violence: This implies the period of severe difficulty or danger.

(3) Academic performance: The outcome of education or the extent to which a student has achieved his/her educational goals.

(4) Consequences: It is the outcome of a particular event