The impact of domestic violence on women in the family: A case study of Gwer-East Local Government Area of Benue State

Abstract

The study assesses the impact of domestic violence on women in the family, in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State. The study employed survey design method. A total of 163 (91 married men and 72 married women) were purposively selected among the three council wards of Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State. The participants were picked using proportionate sampling method. The objective of the study was among others, to investigate the impact of domestic violence on women in the family, to find out the relationship between family structure and domestic violence. The instrument used for data collection was a thirty seven (37) item questionnaire. Data were analyzed using percentages and tables, means and standard deviation were used in answering research questions, while dependent t-test corrections and one way ANOVA were used in testing the hypotheses at 0.00 level of significance. The first hypothesis found a significant impact of domestic violence on women in the family. The second hypothesis found a significant relationship between family structure and domestic violence. The third hypothesis revealed that socio- economic status has a significant effect on domestic violence against women in Gwer East Local Government Area. The finding revealed significant relationship between domestic violence and women in the family in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue state. It was therefore recommended among others, that Gwer East Local Government Area should set up guidance and counselling centres on family matters to educate partners on how best to improve family relationships.

Keywords: impact, Domestic violence women, family, Gwer-East Local Government Area, Benue state.