ENGL 1302 research paper
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Women and Domestic Violence: Implication for Counselling
Oyebiyi Dele Augustine
Department of Psychology, Guidance and
Counseling, School of Education, Federal College of
Education, Osiele, Abeokuta.
Amaihian Philip Idowu
Guidance counselors, Federal Polytechnic,
Youth Friendly Centre, Nasarawa.
Abstract
Domestic violence against women or girl child has been an old phenomenon women were
compared as weak, vulnerable, and in position to be exploited. The traditional norms has
made them subject of violence where men were given the outright domination over the issue
that affect their lines. They are assaulted physically, sexually, emotionally, and denials of
their rights. The writers examine the causes and the effect of domestic violence against
women and its implication for counseling. It was concluded that all stakeholders in
preventing violence at home should ensure the victims are protected and desensitized of the
trauma; and the counseling services be provided before, during and after the marriage
through workshops/seminar and empowerment training for women to be self reliance.
Keywords: Domestic Violence, Gender Base Violence, Girl Child, Assaults
Introduction
The mutual co-existence of a home or family
relates to the manifestations of love,
understanding and trust that radiates between
couples; who have come together as husband
and wife. It is traditionally and globally
acceptable belief that marriage is an institution
of honors, respect, dignity and hope where
couples show love, affection care security of
life and protect against hostility. But today
despite all the expectation in marriages, the
tenets of co-existence in love and sharing
pains has gone virile causing abuses violence
and hostility among couples with the women
mostly affected. The violence at home is
Gender based as it effects but men and women.
The Gendered-Based violence exists
uncontrolled in our society with great harms to
the victims and the children. It has pervaded
all the effort of government and the
International Community, Countries across all
spectrum of the society. The prominent victims
of the Gendered-Based violence are the
women and the Girl Child who are exposed to
intimidations, threat over whelming
disposition of man, the culture and traditions,
deprivations, etc
Abubakar, et al (2015) opined that the
common feature of this violence and hostility
seem to be against the female partners as the
male partners dominate and overrule the
affairs of the family and use different measures
including force and Gender-based abuse
directed against women. Eze (2015) in her
opinion asserted that Gender base violence is
likened to existing inequalities between men
and women and women in relation to gender
norms, that is, society’s expectation of
appropriate roles and behavior for boys and
girls. The GBV or Domestic Violence (DV)
promotes the supremacy and control of men
over the women. Women are treated as slaves
and subordinates to the men and the entire
extend family. Men have also experienced
abuses or violence at home from a bully,
emotional and uncompromising woman who
has over taken the reign in the home.
Ihielegblem (2003), Wright (2014).
Ife PsychologIA 2016, 24(2), 195-202
Copyright (c) 2016 © Ife Centre for Psychologial Studies/Services, Ile-Ife, Nigeria ISSN: 1117-1421
195
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Gender – based violence and domestic
violence
Gender based violence according to Garba and
Kantiok (2015) citing Ganle and Annel (1998)
described GBV as violence that is directed
against a person on the bases of gender. The
GBV Act includes the acts that inflict injuries,
suffering threat such as coercion and their
deprivation of liberty. UNO (1993)
Declaration on Elimination of violence against
women describe GBV as “any act of Gender-
based violence that results in or likely result in
physical sexual or psychological harm or
suffering to women including threats of such
as coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty
where occurring in public or private life, and
expose him/her to humiliation abuses and lose
of rights to life and dignity due to excessive
control. But it’s pertinent to know that the
women experience more domestic violence
than men. WomenWin (2011) viewed GBV as
violence that involves men and women in
which the female are usually the target and is
derived from unequal power relationship
between man and woman and the violence
directed to against the women. The Global
trend of GBV, makes women vulnerable to
violence at home and with the extent at which
marriages are broken or divorce among
couples has been sources of Domestic
violence, with devastating effect on the tone of
the family and the offspring. And the women
and the Girl Child are at the receivers end. The
question is, What are Domestic Violence (DV)
and Violence Against Women in a marriage?
Domestic violence against women is an odd
phenomenon women were considered weak,
vulnerable and in a position to be exploited. It
is a burden on a numerous doctors of the social
spectrum of the society, and a global issue that
perverse the entire world, with its incidence
affecting the well being of the affected person.
Kaur and Garg (2008) opined that domestic
violence is widely spread, deeply imagine with
serious impact on the women’s health and well
being.
WHO (2007) describes Domestic Violence as
power misused by one adult in a relationship
to control other. It is the establishment of
control and fear in a relationship through
violence and other forms of abuses. The
violence can take the forms of physical
assaults, psychological abuse, social, financial
and sexual abuses. According to National
Centre on Elder Abuse, Washington DC (2005)
describes domestic violence as a pattern of
coercive control that one person exercises over
other to dominate the victims and gets their
ways.
The concept is about women being denied
their needs, prevented from exercising their
rights, suppressed to the whims and caprices of
the hostile man, rules and command are passed
on the women by men who felt they are
‘’Landlord’’ with the authority given by the
cultural norms and the religious indoctrination
of man being head and spouse to be totally
submissive, has given the man the absolute
power of control and submission. The DV is
perpetrated by both men and women though,
women are commonly at the receiver end
especially in our county where there are no
legislation until recently Bills were passed at
the National Assembly to avert the dangers of
DV on women and Girl child.
The cases of DV against women has been very
alarming, cutting across all ages. Project Alert
on Violence Against Women (2014) cited in
Abubakar (2005) an NGO reported that 70%
of victims of sexual abuses in Nigeria are
below 18 years. Also WHO reported recently
of global prevalence figures indicate 35% of
women worldwide have experienced violence.
Olarewaju (2013) reported that about 81% of
married women have been verbally and
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physically abuse by their husband and 46%
were abuse at the presence of their children.
The trend has subjected most women to endure
in other to keep their marriages and avoid
divorce with devastating effect on their
psychological and mental health; the children
will take the experience to their adulthood
becoming abusers. In most cases, for those
who could not sustain, the crisis or violence at
home opt out of the marriage to becoming
Single Mother, or divorcee, some commit
crime, murder and suicide to be relieved of the
obnoxious attitude.UNDF (2015) reported
globally that, one out of three women
experienced domestic violence either
physically or sexually. Therefore, it is barbaric
for men to engage in violence against their
spouses, any man that does such should be
taken to psychiatric to examine his mental
health and determine the required control.
Women mostly are sources of their bully at
home, they are not controllable, unruly
behavior, nagging at every little issues, allow
peer groups to influence them out of their roles
at home, and men in the process of having
control may use any form to regain his dignity
as man.
The forms of Domestic Violence
The DV or VAW takes different forms
depending on the, circumstance that ensue at
the time of the violence.This could be grouped
as;
- Physical assault
- Sexual assault
- Psychological assault.
1. Physical Assault Violence: This is when the
perpetrator uses physical means or object to
inflict injuries or cause the spouse to be
intimidated. Examples are Shoveling,
Battering, Hitting, Boxing, Biting, kicking,
Throwing, use threat, intimidation, use of
objects e.g. Knife, stick.
2. Psychological Assault/ Violence: This is when
the perpetrator attacks psyche of the other
person torture to submission or frustration.
Examples: Public insults, Nagging, Threats,
denial of right and needs, and deprivation,
Neglects, intimidation, hitting, criticism,
molestation e.t.c.
3. Psycho- social Assaults: This is when the
basic psychological and social needs are
denied. Example sexual assault- rape,
disgrace, forced pregnancy, sex slavery,
traditional practices, trafficking, harassment,
force marriage, genital mutilation and
humiliation of widows. Kaur and Garg (2008)
identified culture mores, religious practices,
economic and political conditions. He further
concluded that, the act of committing an act
of violence is a choice that the individual
makes out of range options .Others are
traditional and social norms which
characterized a woman as subject or
manipulation.
Causes of domestic violence against women
The domestic violence against women does
arise from the extrinsic and intrinsic factors in
individual or the society.
The Cultural and Social norms: The culture
has made men to have absolute authority over
their spouses. The culture condones physical
characteristic of women as a husband’s mental
prerogative, thus limiting the range of acts
considered to be abused in Nigeria (Aihie
2009).
Societal Demands: The society and the family
interferes in the lives of their children; they
ensure the woman are perpetually answerable
to the husband and the in- laws, control the
tone of the home, influence the attitude of the
spouses, determine the number of children to
born, or when a woman is having female
children, she is either thrown out or subjected
to cultural torture, and eventually sent away.
OyebiyiI D., Amaihian P.: Women and Domestic Violence: Implication for Counselling
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OyebiyiI D., Amaihian P.: Women and Domestic Violence: Implication for Counselling
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The Mode of Dressing: The indecent dressing
result to sexual harassment and even rapes,
when women or Girl Child exposes the
sensitive part of her body.
Gender imbalance: The belief that the women
are not parity with men result into violence
and when she is to ensure her right not infringe
at, then the man resist and molest her.This
might be the differences in physical strength
and size. Women are socialized into their
gender roles, poorly equipped to protect
themselves if partner becomes violence.
The Economic status of the family; where the
women are not empowered and dependent on
their spouses for their needs; are subjected to
ridicle, threats, denials, harassment and lack
freedom to influence decision.Also where the
women are breadwinner as case maybe, the
economic power is eroded. Ihielegbulem
(2005) said men are abused if he could not
provide for his family. This could cause
physical assault, and conflict on the women.
Decline in Marital Status: Marriage is said to
be satisfying when there is absolute
understanding, feelings, love, care, trust and
devoid of rancor and violence. When all these
are lacking, there will be disaffection resulting
into violence at home and eventually divorce.
The Use of Internet: When women are much
engage to Social Media than her home
responsibilities, attention not giving to her
spouse.
In the process of controlling the addicted
behavior to the detriment of the home, it
results to shout, insult and violence. And the
decrease in relationship trust and satisfaction
through feelings of betrayal, rejection,
abandonment, loneliness, jealous, humiliation
and anger thus makes man react negatively
due to spouse neglect.
Psychological well being: This is covert or
overt reactions to spouse attitude or behavior.
Men need affection and are jealous, so the
women must not stretch the spouses’ emotion,
exchange words, Nag and humiliate her
husband to avoid violence. Anxiety is a
condition that not only affects the individual
but the couples. Cotton, Burton and Rushing
(2003) found that expressed anxiety by
couples have shown to have negative effect on
marriage. It is a major source of tension and
stress in marriage; lost of feelings and trust
which damage the mutual relationship and
resulted to spouse violence and to consider
divorce.
Alcoholism and Drug Misuse: Men who abuse
drugs or alcohol violate their women as they
lose their control, engage in argument and
battering, verbal assaults, sexual harassment
even rape.
Early experience of violence: The home is the
initial source of experience for children. The
parents who quarrel, fight, batter, inflicting
injuries, verbally assaulting each other, before
the kids will lead to child bully or fights or
involve in all sorts of anti social behavior
especially male child seeing battering of his
mother as normal as they grow with the
attitude.
Effect of Domestic Violence against Women
The effect of DV is the multifaceted, and
affects all stratum of the society. It ranges from
victim to victim, fatal and mild on the person.
It is obvious that men that batter their wives
typically feel that they are exercising a right;
maintaining good order in the family and
punishing their wives delinquency and failure
to keep their proper place. (WHO 2001).
Hence, the corresponding effect on the psycho-
social congruent levels of the victim.
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i. It causes physical injury to their
victims such as black eyes, broken
arms or leg laceration e.t.c.
ii. It undermines the social, economic,
psychological, spiritual and
emotional well being of the
victim.
iii. It is a major contributor to the ill-
health of women and maternal
death.
iv. It has serious consequences on their
women is mental and physical
health include their reproductive
and sexual health e.g. disability,
depression etc.
v. It has a negative effect on the family
or society and individual affecting
their educational or career paths
leading to poverty and economic
dependence.
vi. Family life disrupted leading to
separation and divorce, and great
effect on the upbringing of the
children, and lost of faith in the
Institution of family by children. It
affects the quality of life of the
victims and communities, social
order and cohesion (WHO 2001).
vii. It affects the reproductive health of the
women who are physically or
sexually abused than the men.
viii. There is high rate of infidelity among
the abused persons who seek for
solace and affection outside the
trouble home.
ix. There is high risk of acquiring
Sexually transmitted Diseases
(STDS) and Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS.)
x. High rate of unplanned pregnancies
due to the violence experienced in
the hands of their spouse who act
under the influence of alcohol or
drug.
xi. Increase rate of murder and suicide
among the victims; especially
those who out of frustration,
depression commit the crime to
escape the violence. A case of a
woman that killed her husband at
Ibadan
xii. It undermines individual sense of self
esteem, security and confidence
due to incessant insults and assault
constituting emotional abuse.
It has devastating effects on the children who
witnessed or from a home with domestic
violence. They develop serious emotional,
behavioral, developmental and academic
problems which makes their adjustment
difficult.
Kaur and Garg identified the resultant
effects on the children as they grow:
- Likely to use violence at school or
community In response perceive
threats
- Attempt suicide
- Use drug
- Commit crimes e.g. sexual assault
- To enhance their reputation and self
esteem
- Become abusive in later year
- It will result to school dropout, youth
restiveness, and risk behavior by the
children who experience violence at
home.
The question that agitates one’s mind is, Why
didn’t those that are experiencing domestic
violence leave? The answers are not farfetched
as stated below
Leaving an abusive relationship or
marriage is difficult due to the deep rooted
values and cultures; women prefer to stay and
manage the situation and never wanted the
OyebiyiI D., Amaihian P.: Women and Domestic Violence: Implication for Counselling
OyebiyiI D., Amaihian P.: Women and Domestic Violence: Implication for Counselling
199
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option of separation or divorce.
- Fear of uncertainty for the future
- Fear for the children
- Ashamed to seek help from friends
and family members.
- Fear of intimidation by the spouse
after making reports.
- Fear of being isolated by the family or
friends
- Lack information on service available.
- Still have love for the partner, thinking
he would change, as he was not like
that at the beginning of their courtship
and marriage..
- Bad advice from people
- Some believe that they deserve the
violence because of their past actions
and behavior.
Counselling implications of Domestic
Violence against Women
Violence against Women is a violation of
basic human right. It is absurd for
government to fail at addressing the issue
of domestic violence against women and
Girl Child in Nigeria. Though, there are
Laws enacted by Act of Parliament such
Child Trafficking and Trafficking in
Women Act, and Violence Against Person
Prohibition Acts (2015) e.t.c, which has
not been implemented and perpetrators are
not prosecuted
i. Therefore, the counseling
services should be made
available for the victims of
domestic violence to enable
them adjust electively and
enhance their self esteem and
confidence.
ii. There should be awareness by
creating and disseminating
materials, and videos that
project positive image of the
girl child and women in the
society.
iii. The counseling services are to
be provided by educating the
woman on the need to speak
out and consult for counseling
services.
iv. Social and mental counseling
techniques should be utilized
to desensitize the victims of
the trauma and experiences.
v. Counselors should ensure the
needs to liase with the
government,NGOS and Civil
Society.
vi. Organize workshop/ seminars
on the effect of domestic
violence on women and Girl
Child.
vii. Empowering the GIRL child
and Women to have economic
power and not dependent on
man.
viii. Legal support should be
provided for victims after
counseling for self esteem,
e.t.c.
ix. Obnoxious culture that
dehumanized women should
be campaign against and
sensitized for the cultural re-
orientation on issues that
concern home violence.
x. There should be pre- mental
Guidance and Counseling on
the need to have knowledge of
what marriage is all about and
tolerating one another in time
of trouble.
xi. Family members should
attend family exchange
programme organise by
Counselors and Health
Officers to reducing the
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Ife PsychologIA, 24(2), 2016
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mental ill health and
psychological disorders.
xii. There should be counseling
follow up to ensure the
victims are able to adjust
effectively.
xiii. The man is made to live up to
their responsibility to end
domestic violence, tolerate
their spouse weaknesses and
inadequacies.
xiv. The women too should be
advocated not to compete with
men at home; they must
respect and support their men
xv. .The counseling services are
to be provided in schools to
help the children that had
experienced domestic violence
to desensitize their mind from
being aggressive.
Recommendations
The government should ensure all
laws enacted relating to domestic violence
and woman advancement be implemented.
- Long term follow up and assistance be
provided for the victims
- Government and agencies should
focus on changing the obnoxious
cultural norms attitude and relevance
of women or Girl child be addressed.
- Machinery should be made to detect
and address early mental issues before
it becomes violent.
Government and agencies should
provide victims with necessary
information, treatment and referring
women or men to appropriate care
centers.
- Ensure health services places are safe,
secure, respect, and are not stigmatize.
Integrated Media Campaign Against
domestic violence be made available
and denouncing domestic violence.
- Survivors of domestic violence can be
involved in program and activities as
resources person.
- There should be networking with
NGOS and Voluntary Organization
and creation of Social Support
Networks for victims.
- Studies and Researches should be
embarked on to identify the frequency
of and level of domestic violence
against women and its effect.
- Advocacy education must be
introduced to the school curriculum on
gender- Based issues.
Conclusion
The violence at home is gendered – based but
women are mostly affected than men. If exist
uncontrolled in our homes/society with great
harms to the victims and the children. They are
exposed to intimidation, threat, over whelming
disposition of man; and the institution of
marriage has been depleted which is regarded
as horrible respectful with high dignity. The
effects on the victim and the home have
resulted into psychological, physical and
socially and ill health even deaths. Effort
should be made to advocate against violence,
against women, and the girl child and the
victim be rehabilitate and more care centres
and cares should be in place to stem the high
level of violence at home.
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