Domestic violence threatens social, family stability VANGUARD NEWSPAPERS, LAGOS, JUNE 15, 2013 By Emmanuel Edukugho The wave of domestic violence in all its forms sweeping across Nigeria and many parts of Africa is disturbing and a source of serious concern to many people. Personal safety within family framework can no longer be taken for granted. Most victims of domestic violence are left to suffer in vain, sometimes killed, seriously injured or permanently disabled. Ordinarily, domestic violence is that kind of violence that happens between family members in the home or during relationship between couple or would-be-couples. Victim of battery Usually, response by neighbours, security agencies like police, even family members are not swift or sharp before any damage is done to either of the feuding parties, most likely the women (wives). There is no symbolic support for the victim from the immediate environment or neighbourhood. But the world is changing, so also should be our feelings of security. It’s not enough to say the man or husband is callous, wicked who likes to turn the woman into a punching bag. It is also helpful to ask what is it that drove him to such brutality? Hot-tempered spouses should seek counselling and take anger management courses. There was a recent case of a young man who battered his banker-wife to death barely few months after a high society marriage in Lagos. The sympathy of all civilised and decent people must go to the victims of these atrocities. However, these attacks could be reminder that others in several parts of this country having strained relationships with their spouses are not immuned from such acts of brutality and inhumanity. Our people should learn to take active part in the protection of their neighbours and not be complacent, claiming that they don’t want to interfere in the private affairs of others. Saturday Vanguard sought the views of a lawyer on the problem of domestic violence, its prevalence, nature, remedies available and causes. Barrister M.O. Aminah, said that domestic violence falls within civil offence under the law of tort when you cause bodily harm to your neighbour. She explained that battered women and children are people who have been violently attacked by their husbands or fathers. “Assault is attacking somebody in a violent way. But battery is different from assault which is about beating one’s spouse. Whether battery or assault, a victim can seek redress in both criminal and civil actions. Criminal prosecution can be taken against people who violently attack their spouse. Civil action can also be instituted for damages suffered as a result of battery. But one process must finish before starting the other,” she said. On the causes of domestic violence: The causes are several. These include high temperament of the husband or the wife as the case may be, lack of understanding between the couple, lack of tolerance, incompatibility of the spouses, stress from work and even the daily chores of life. Once these factors are present in the relationship and in the marriage, there is tendency for friction that can lead to violent attacks. Psychological reasons also can be attributed. When a spouse is suffering from dementia, his or her behaviour will not be stable. Quarrels can also cause a fight in the home. For more, click: vanguardngr/2013/06/domestic-violence-threatens-social-family-stability/
Posted on: Sat, 15 Jun 2013 16:31:53 +0000
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