SOURCES AND CONSEQUENCES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA.

Abstract

The study examined the consequences of violence against women in Anambra State, Nigeria. The theoretical thrust of the paper is the frustration-aggression theory. Quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection such as questionnaires, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews were used for the study. One thousand, two hundred (1,200) questionnaires were administered to respondents selected for the study, but only thousand, hundred and sixty-five (1,165) questionnaires were validly completed and returned, and these formed the base figure for the analysis. Also, 32 participants took part in the focus group discussions conducted in the urban and rural areas. Eight in-depth interviews were conducted in the study. The mean age of respondents is 35.51, approximately 36 years. The findings of the study show that psychological harm (insults, humiliation, restriction on freedom) is the major consequence. of violence against women and also depression is the major problem associated with violence against women. Therefore, the study recommends that there should be institutional mechanisms where women and girls who are victims of violence can feel free to report acts of violence against them in a safe and confidential environment. Also, non-governmental organizations should make wider their sensitization projects to the rural areas through electronic and print media.