It is common to see parents, teachers, spouses etc trying to uphold the 'African style of discipline' when people go wrong but in actually fact they are carrying out domestic violence. Domestic violence in Nigeria involves the different forms of abuses that occur in the family and the adverse effects it has on individuals and the society at large.

Domestic violence is defined as "the intentional and persistent abuse of anyone in the home in a way that causes pain, distress or injury." Research has shown that in the United States, West Africa: Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria, women are mostly the victims of domestic violence and it is shocking to note that such is supported by cultural Norms and traditions as such, reporting such cases mostly yield futility of effort.

 

Taking Nigeria as a case study as it is in many African countries, Domestic Violence is seen as a form of discipline of which the man can deal with his wife and children as he deems it fit even if the man is financially dependent on the woman. In such cultures, many don't even know they perpetually undergo domestic violence. The types of domestic violence suffered by these women include: Physical abuse (such as kicking, slapping, punching, strangling et cetera), sexual abuse, neglect, economic abuse, spiritual abuse and emotional abuse. All these lead to consequences such as psychological breakdown, low intelligence quotient (IQ), violent behaviour, aggressiveness, withdrawal, physical injuries, low self-esteem, anger, harmful health behaviour (like smoking, alcoholism), lack of trust etc.

 

Several factors increase the possibility of domestic violence happening, although the presence of these factors do not always mean that domestic violence will take place. They are: Drugs/alcohol, past experiences of violence, unemployment, traditional Norms that encourage domestic violence etc. These are obvious cankerworm eating the fabrics of our society which must be remedied by constant counselling by words and example on government levels, in Church, mosques, schools etc so as to ensure that both the young and old understand what domestic violence is and the danger it causes to individuals and the society at large.

It is also important to quickly note that men also suffer this menace. Men suffering domestic violence is not widespread because there is no formal Organization/ policy to attend to their cases. Also, the male figure always wants to hide his shame so as not to bruise his ego.  If male victims of domestic violence can be given the same recognition, sympathy and support that female victims receive, it will go a long way to make men report cases they are victims of. This will enhance equity in handling cases of domestic violence for both genders.

Domestic Violence can be suppressed if people are well educated on how to enact discipline. Also, if there are government policies, especially social services to arrest culprits and properly prosecute them, events of domestic violence will decline. More awareness must be created for our children to always speak out when they are ill-treated so that we do not eventually have victims who will become worse perpetrators in the future.

The Church at this special period is drawing the attention of all to the need to do away with vices of any kind as we prepare for the coming of Our Saviour Christ Jesus. By this, we will build families and a society at large where discipline is served with pure love and consideration of the dignity of the human person.