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Counselling Response to Victims of Domestic Violence in Nigeria

The document discusses the issue of domestic violence in Nigeria, highlighting its various forms, causes, and effects on victims and their families. It emphasizes the need for counseling responses to support victims and address the underlying issues contributing to domestic violence. The author advocates for a comprehensive approach to counseling that promotes healing, resolution, and character alteration among both victims and perpetrators.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
12 views5 pages

Counselling Response to Victims of Domestic Violence in Nigeria

The document discusses the issue of domestic violence in Nigeria, highlighting its various forms, causes, and effects on victims and their families. It emphasizes the need for counseling responses to support victims and address the underlying issues contributing to domestic violence. The author advocates for a comprehensive approach to counseling that promotes healing, resolution, and character alteration among both victims and perpetrators.

Uploaded by

IJMSRT
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Volume-3,Issue -1,Jan-2025 International Journal Of Modern Science and Research Technology

ISSN No-2584-2706

Counselling Response to Victims of Domestic


Violence in Nigeria
By
Gabriel Solomon.

Introduction: “domestic violence” involves psychological


Domestic violence is a serious phenomena violence, which consists of repeated verbal
confronting human society by disturbing the abuse, harassment, denial from physical,
peaceful coexistence of the home or family. financial, or personal resources. It is
This act, according to the office of violence physical, psychological, sexual, economic,
against women (2007), occurs to anyone and emotional abuse performed by an
regardless of race, age, sex, and religion. individual against intimate partners in order
The term is also known as domestic abuse, to create or maintain authority and control.
spousal abuse, battering, family violence, According to World Health Organisation
and intimate partner violence. Domestic (WHO), violence is "the behaviour by an
violence as a pattern of abusive behaviour is intimate partner or ex-partner that caused
display by one who is into an intimate physical, sexual or psychological harm and
relationships like dating, marriage, family. includes physical aggression, sexual
This abusive behaviour takes various forms, coercion, psychological abuse and
such as physical assault, sexual abuse, controlling behaviour." Domestic violence is
emotional abuse, domineering intimidation, a pattern of controlling behaviour imposed
resource deprivation (Seimeniuk et al., on a woman by an intimate partner without
2010). In Nigeria, women experience any form of regard to her rights, feelings,
domestic violence than men, this view is body, or health. According to Kunhiyop
supported by Amnesty International (2007) (2008: 243), domestic violence involves
who reported that two-thirds of women are abuse of power in intimate relationships
subjected to sexual, physical and within a household. He further opined that
psychological violence performed by their domestic violence is linked to control and
husbands, partners and family members manipulation of the Victim by the
(Oluremi, 2015). This act is promoted by perpetrator. It is a form of coercive and
factors such as jealousy, social stress, and assaultive behaviours used by an individual
social learning as it creates fear, insecurity against his or her current or former intimate
and discomfort among members of the partners (Unicef, 2006: 3).
family. With these ills domestic violence Domestic violence as an act of abusive
must be considered and dealt with as an behaviour over one's partner takes different
amoral practice, which the church needs to forms. These forms can also be considered
respond to through counselling response as types of domestic violence among which
towards victims and perpetrators six will be considered, they are emotional
abuse, sexual violence, physical violence,
Overview of Domestic Violence : social assault, economic assault, spiritual
Domestic violence connotes actions and abuse.
behaviours that occur in form of physical Emotional abuse: emotional abuse is an
attack, sexual violations, which can take instrument used by individuals who want to
from bruising to killing. To some, the term make their partners feel worthless, or scared

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IJMSRT25JAN012 www.ijmsrt.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14724575
Volume-3,Issue -1,Jan-2025 International Journal Of Modern Science and Research Technology
ISSN No-2584-2706

with the aim to control the Victim. This on an individual are considered as physical
form of violence takes various forms of violence (FAQO83, 2017: 1).
verbal and humiliation like repeated verbal Causes of Domestic Violence within a
attacks concerning Victim’s worth. It also Family:
includes humiliating the Victim by claiming Numerous factors are causing domestic
he or she is incompetent in front of friends violence within a home or relationship.
or strangers (Ganley, 1995:19). WHO These include
(2012: 1) viewed emotional abuse as i. Psychological factors: these are considered
psychological abuse, which includes insults, as personality traits and mental
belittling, constant humiliation, intimidation, characteristics of the culprits. Personal traits
and threats of harm. Emotional Abuse in this regard include abrupt bursts of anger,
involves harming a person’s sense of self- poor impulse control, and poor self-esteem.
worth by causing serious emotional Also, psychopathology and other personality
disorders through abusive acts like criticism, disorders and abuse witness or experienced
name-calling, intimidating or exploitation to at childhood stage lead some individuals to
dominate, terrorizing an individual verbally be more violent in adulthood (Alokan,
or physically (Obi and Ozunba, 2007). 2013).
Sexual violence: Sexual violence is also ii. Jealousy: Domestic violence within the
categorized as physical abuse, but clinical home occur due to jealousy towards a
practitioners differentiate it from physical partner who is either view as unfaithful or
abuse through their definition. They defined considered as having no more interest in the
sexual violence as any unwanted sexual relationship. It is considered in psychology
activity (Flury, Nyberg, and Riecher- as an attempts to control the reproduction of
Rössler, 2010: 4). According to Chhikara et sexual exclusivity of the female through
al. (2013: 72), sexual violence is any violence or the threat of violence (Alokan,
situation in which threat or force is used to 2013). This act of jealousy is highly in a
obtain involvement in unwanted sexual polygamous marriage where lies and
activity. They further viewed it as coercing misrepresentation towards gaining favour or
an individual into sexual activity against her higher level of attention from the husband is
will even if such a person is a spouse or on the increase (Kunhiyop, 2008).
intimate partner. FAQO83 (2017: 1) opined iii. Social Stress: there can be increased in
that sexual abuse is forced sexual activity one’s stress when he or she is living under a
involving vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse. family with increased pressures. Some
Physical violence: refers to any behaviour in individuals use violence as a response to
which the body of the perpetrator stress (Bevan and Higgins, 2002). Poor
intentionally affects the body of another families are more likely to be victims of
person (Nyberg and Riecher-Rössler, 2010: domestic violence, due to increased stress
6). This physical abuse, according to and monetary conflicts and other aspects.
Chhikara et al. (2013), involves contact Social tolerance of violence and lack of
intended to cause feelings of intimidation, sanctioning of perpetrators also contributes
pain, injury, or other physical bodily harm. to domestic violence (Bevan and Higgins,
It includes any form of contact that results in 2002).
physical injury to the Victim (71). Activities iv. Social Learning: exposure to violent
such as pushing, hitting, slapping, kicking, behaviour makes an individual more
choking, beating, or attacking with a weapon vulnerable to imitating it, and where there
are no negative penalties, and the victim

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IJMSRT25JAN012 www.ijmsrt.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14724575
Volume-3,Issue -1,Jan-2025 International Journal Of Modern Science and Research Technology
ISSN No-2584-2706

accepts the act as a way of life, then the (PSTD), characterized by flashbacks,
behaviour may continue (Bevan and disturbing images, nightmares, and
Higgins, 2002). Kunhiyop (2008) viewed avoidance of triggers that are associated
this social learning as learned behaviour with the violence (Oluremi, 2015).
under which he opined that a child of an Generally, victims of domestic violence live
abusive family or home is likely to be in fear and intimidation, and the continuous
abusive himself as the environment he grew insecurity in which they live can also lead to
up in is visible in his marriage and difficulty in sleep. Separation is another
maintenance of vicious circle. effect of domestic violence, which may
v. Power and Control: perpetrators of affect the wards as there will be a limit or no
domestic violence do so in order to establish parental care towards them.
and maintain control over their partners or
the household in general. This act of Counselling Response To Victims Of
dominance has been attributed to low self- Domestic Violence:
esteem, the stress of poverty, hostility, Domestic violence causes serious harm to
unresolved childhood conflicts, and mutual intimacy within the home. Hence,
resentment toward women (misogyny) Counselling victims is targeted towards
(Oluremi, 2015). providing emotional healing, genuine
vi. Substance abuse: the intoxication derived resolution, a change of lifestyle, better
from the abuse of substance makes an interpersonal relationship, and better
individual intolerable of any argument or intimacy between the perpetrator and victim.
disagreement from their spouse or wards as In providing this counselling towards
they are vulnerable to misinterpreting any victims of domestic violence, it essential to
action as insulting, and they respond in note that the counsellor need to be careful of
violence (Kunhiyop, 2008). transference and countertransference in the
counseling process in order not to lose the
Effects Of Domestic Violence: essence of the counseling relationship. The
i. Effect on the Wards: wards exposed to counselling strategies or response that would
domestic violence while growing will suffer be examined are:
in their development and psychological Guiding the Victim towards Actual Healing
welfare (Alokan, 2013). The children may Domestic violence, in most cases leads to
experience emotional and behavioural insecurity within the family as the event
problems like increased aggression, anxiety, may warrant people intruding into the affairs
and changes in socializing with friends, of such family. The aim of the counselling
family, and others (Oluremi, 2015). relationship should centre on providing
ii. Physical effect: domestic violence inflict healing for the harm the violence had caused
bruises, injuries, internal bleeding in the within the home. To achieve this healing,
victims (Oluremi, 2015). Some pregnant the counsellor is expected to express
victims experience a greater risk of empathy, warmth, and readiness to assist
miscarriage, pre-term labour, and injury to victims over the crisis. The counsellor
or death of the fetus. should listen to the victim as she or he is
iii. Psychological Effect: domestic violence narrating the story. In intervening, which
increases in victims high level of stress, fear comes after listening to both parties and
and anxiety, and depression. The common deducing the real problem, the counsellor
psychological consequence of domestic should choose the right words to help the
violence is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder victim get over the wounds adequately.

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IJMSRT25JAN012 www.ijmsrt.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14724575
Volume-3,Issue -1,Jan-2025 International Journal Of Modern Science and Research Technology
ISSN No-2584-2706

Guide Victim towards Genuine Resolution perpetrator, the counsellor can utilize
Resolution also connotes reconciliation, bibliotherapitic method
which means reconciling men to men. This Conclusion :
act of reconciling is the primary task of a Domestic violence is a severe problem
post marital counsellor. The counsellor has confronting every culture, tribe, religion,
the responsibility to settle discord between and nation. The marriage that should be a
couples in order to experience an upright place of mutual intimacy has been turned to
relationship by being reunited to enjoying a war field as partners are battered on a daily
smoothness in living as one family. The basis. It is believed that factors such as
counsellor should provide care, compassion, jealousy, social stress, and social learning
and support to victims of domestic violence, promote domestic violence. This ill practice
so as to enhance harmonious relationship is also having great effect on the Victim and
against the discord within the family. wards of the family as it creates fear,
Guide Victim towards Character Alteration insecurity, and discomfort among members
The counsellor is also having the task of of the family. With the effect it is having on
guiding the victims and perpetrators of the peaceful coexistence of the family, there
domestic violence towards checkmating is need for counselling intervention that will
their way of life that enhances violence aim at restoring mutual intimacy between
within the home and the need for adjustment victim and perpetrator. To achieve this, the
for peace to exist. In providing this counsellor needs to guide, nurture, and
guidance, the counsellor needs wisdom in educate victims towards healing and the
enlightening victims on the steps to take. perpetrators towards character alteration.
Also, the counsellor should call the victims
to the need to build some attitude or References:
practices that are important and essential in  Alokan, F. B. (2013). Domestic Violence
sustaining better and meaningful against Women: A Family Menace.
relationships within the family. The European Scientific Journal, 9(19).
counsellor should direct victims towards  Amnesty International USA. (2007).
observing discipline that will enhance their Maze of Injustice: The Failure to Protect
behaviour, perception, and interpersonal Indigenous Women from Sexual
relationship in the family. Violence in the USA. Amnesty
Nurture Victim towards better Union International USA.
Domestic violence is an evidence of  Bevan, E., & Higgins, D. J. (2002). Is
breakdown in relationship within the home. Domestic Violence Learned? The
Violence in the home can destroy and Contribution of Five Forms of Child
deteriorate the security of the home to an Maltreatment to Men's Violence and
absorbent state. Insecurity within has effect Adjustment. Journal of Family Violence,
on the family as confidence in the 17(3), 223-245.
relationship becomes an illusion. At this  Chhikara, P., J. Jakhar, A. Malik, K.
point of insecurity fear, suspicion and Singla, and S. K. Dhattarwal. 2013.
feeling of incompatibility sets in within the “Domestic Violence: The Dark Truth of
Victim. The counsellor is with the Our Society.”Journal of Indian Academy
responsibility to educate Victim because of Forensic Medicine 35 (1): 71–75.
through this character and behaviour can be  Flury, M., Nyberg, E., & Riecher-
changed. In nurturing the victim and Rössler, A. (2010). Domestic Violence
against Women. Definitions,
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14724575
Volume-3,Issue -1,Jan-2025 International Journal Of Modern Science and Research Technology
ISSN No-2584-2706

Epidemiology, Risk Factors and family of Mr. and Mrs. Solomon David
Consequences. Department Psiquiatric some three dacades ago.
University Clinics Basal, University of
Basel, Cite this as: Swiss Med Wkly.
Switzerland, 140, 130-39.
 Ganley, A. L. (1995). Understanding
Domestic Violence. Improving the
Health Care Response to Domestic
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Health Care Providers, 15-42.
 Kunhiyop, S. W. (2008). African
Christian Ethics. Zondervan.
Obi, S. N., & Ozumba, B. C. (2007).
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75-78.
Office of Violence against Women
(2007). About Domestic Violence.
Retrieved March 23, 2020, from
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htm
 Oluremi, F. D. (2015). Domestic
“Violence Against Women In
Nigeria.”. European Journal of
Psychological Research, 2(1).
 Siemienuk, R. A., Krentz, H.B.,
Gish, J.A. & Gill, M.J. (2010).
Domestic Violence Screening:
Prevalence and Outcomes in a
Canadian HIV Population. AIDS
patient cure and STDs.
 UNICEF (2005) Violence at Home
(archive) Voices of Youth Forum.
Retrieved March. 2020 from
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 Unicef. (2006). Behind Closed
Doors: The Impact of Domestic
Violence on Children. Unicef.

About the Writer:


Gabriel Solomon is a student of the
Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary,
running his Ph.D program in pastoral care
and counseling. He is born into the
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IJMSRT25JAN012 www.ijmsrt.com
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14724575

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