Pattern and help-seeking behaviour of women experiencing intimate partner violence at Isolo Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria

Abstract

Intimate Partner Violence is widely condoned in Nigeria. This study assessed pattern and help-seeking behaviour of women experiencing intimate partner violence in Isolo Local Government area, Lagos State.The study used a cross sectional design to select three hundred and eighty eight respondents through a multi-stage sampling technique. Data was collected using a validated semi-structured questionnaire. Results showed that more (70.4%) of the respondents had experienced intimate partner violence. Respondents reported slapping (52.3%) and verbal abuse (28.1%) as forms of intimate partner violence while 33% sought help by reporting to their friends. Over half of the respondents (59.5%) stated that the attitude of workers at the centres was a barrier for not seeking help.Various patterns of intimate partner violence were experienced by respondents with low quality of help-seeking behaviour. It is therefore recommended that workers in the centres should be well trained to show empathy to victims.

Keywords: Intimate partner Violence, Pattern, Help-seeking, Barriers, Women