Perceived Effect of Domestic Violence on Women in Dekina Local Government Area, Kogi State, Nigeria

Abstract

omestic violence against women remains a persistent social and public health problem that undermines women’s dignity, safety, and socio-economic participation. This study examines public perception of domestic violence against women in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. Anchored on Radical Feminist and Black Feminist theories, the study adopts a mixed-method approach combining quantitative and qualitative techniques. Data were generated from a sample of 384 respondents drawn from a population of 458,911 using stratified and purposive sampling methods. Structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews were used for data collection, while analysis involved descriptive statistics, t-test, Pearson Product Moment Correlation, ANOVA, and thematic analysis. Findings reveal that domestic violence against women in Dekina LGA is prevalent and manifests in physical, psychological, sexual, and economic forms. Public perception largely reflects cultural acceptance of male dominance, patriarchal norms, and economic dependency of women. Major causal factors identified include poverty, entrenched cultural practices, substance abuse, and weak enforcement of legal frameworks. The consequences include physical injuries, emotional trauma, family instability, and reduced productivity among women. The study concludes that domestic violence against women in Dekina LGA is structurally embedded and requires sustained legal enforcement, community sensitization, and women-centered empowerment initiatives to alter public perception and reduce its prevalence.