EXAMINING THE LAWS ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA VIS-A-VIS THE IMPACT ON THE CHILDREN OF THE MARRIAGE

Abstract

Domestic violence is a topical issue because it cuts across nations of the world and affects people in no small measure throughout their lives. Women and children are the most vulnerable to domestic violence. The horrors of abuse are apparent in the primary victims, namely, children who witness the abuse of their mothers, fathers, or other family members, are impacted negatively. Witnessing violence, in general, has been associated with emotional, behavior, and learning problems in children, with children's susceptibility affected by developmental level, chronicity of exposure, physical closeness to the incident, and emotional closeness to the victim. The psychological and physical effects of a child’s exposure to domestic violence cannot be over emphasized. To reduce the risk of these effects, it is also important to highlight ways that children can be protected from harm and consequent effect of domestic violence. The research methodology adopted in this work is doctrinal involving the analytic and comparative consideration of existing legal instruments on the issue within and outside the Nigerian legal system. The methods of data collection adopted in this work were from primary sources such as statutes and laws; and secondary sources such as books, journal articles and internet materials. It was founded that children are most affected in homes where domestic violence prevails and that the psychological effect outweighs its physical effect. In conclusion, domestic violence has a great impact on the children of the marriage, what happens in childhood and adolescence has profound implications for wellbeing in adult life. The prevalence of domestic violence as the most common factor cited in cases of children in need emphasizes the need for addressing this enduring problem through prevention, early intervention and education. Domestic violence must be addressed as a public health concern and not only as a privatized, individualized problem. The work recommends inter alia, that there should be an increased advocacy and public awareness in schools and places of worship to enable children to be aware that domestic violence is not a normal way of life. In this vein, parents are advised to avoid the practice of exposing their children to an environment where they witness domestic violence.