Social consequences of wife-battering in Ogbaru and Onitsha North Local Government Areas of Anambra State, Nigeria

Abstract

Despite the subject of domestic violence gaining increasing popularity in Nigeria, it is still treated with less importance. This could be attributed to a number of reasons; one of which is underreporting. The norm, particularly in Nigeria, is that most people hardly report domestic violence cases because of stigmatization. This article examines the social-consequences of wife battering in Ogbaru and Onitsha North Local Government Areas of Anambra State, Nigeria. Using qualitative and quantitative research approaches, a sample of 364 respondents comprising 196 males and 168 females was drawn from Anambra State. Multi-stage and purposive sampling techniques were used to reach the respondents. Questionnaire and in-depth interviews were instruments for data collection. The quantitative data were descriptively analyzed using percentages while thematic method of analysis was employed in the qualitative data. We found that social consequences of wife battering include divorce 22(6.9%) Onitsha North and 9(.16%) Ogbaru respondents, miscarriage 17 (5.0%) Onitsha North and  16(4.1%) Ogbaru respondents, children growing up in battered homes to be aggressive and batterers as identified by 14(3.7%) Ogbaru and 6(1.8%) Onitsha North respondents. This paper proposes the need for the government to encourage battered wives to get emotionally stabilized. They should ensure that marriage counseling units are established in the communities making up the Local Government Areas. Moreover that these units make use of the services of personality psychologists and social workers.