Gender pattern of family violence occurrence: A study of family units in selected communities of Ondo state

Abstract

Background: Violence in families is a global public health issue requiring inquiries for appropriate intervention. The study assessed the prevalence, forms, and gender dimensions of family violence in the study setting.

Methods: The study adopted the cross-sectional design, conducted in three Local Government areas in Ondo State among one hundred and twenty family units consisting of 3 members (a male husband, a female wife, and a child). The data for the study was collected using structured questionnaires. Institutional review board approval was also obtained for the study. 

Results: Findings showed that the prevalence of family violence reported by the wife (35.8%) was similar to that of the husband (36.7%). Children, however, reported a higher prevalence of 62.5 % which was far higher than that of their parents. The wives seemed to be mostly the victims of family violence from the children’s perspective. Expatiating this further, showed that more wives were victims of physical battery (63.8%) economic violence (65.0%), and not participating in decision making (59.8%). The gender dimension showed that wives perpetrate isolation (59.0%) and forced their spouses to act involuntarily (63.3%). While more husbands perpetrate sexual violence (67.2%), intimidation (64.0%), economic violence (62.0%), and do not allow their spouse to participate in decision making (58.2%) more than their wives.

Conclusion: The study concluded that many families experienced family violence with either of the spouses as the perpetrator or victim, although the forms perpetrated may differ by gender. Hence, intervention should be targeted at the family as a whole rather than the victim in the family.