SPOUSAL ABUSES IN NIGERIAN MARRIAGES: A MULTIDISCIPLINARY APPROACH

Abstract

Marriage is the formal union, social and legal contract between two individuals that unites their lives legally, economically and emotionally. However, such relationships are not devoid of abuses which range from physical or mental maltreatment meted out on either spouse by the other which often results into mental, emotional, sexual or physical injury, and may sometimes lead to death. In Nigeria today, there seems to be a rapid increase of spousal abuse. Hence the study considered spousal abuses in Nigerian marriages from a multidisciplinary approach. The study found that spousal abuses in Nigerian marriages have regrettably come to stay due to several reasons such as the reluctance of most individuals to report any act of violence meted out on them as a result of fear of socio-cultural stigmatization, abandonment, fear of being referred to as a divorcee etc. The study further found that most persons are ignorant of their fundamental human rights, and this lack of knowledge has made some believe and accept domestic violence/spousal abuses as a common and acceptable phenomenon. The study recommended that there is need for proper sensitization of individuals through various channels of communication of their fundamental human rights and the need for victims to refrain from condoning domestic violence and exploring all available legal options. The study further recommended that there is absolute need for individuals intending to be married to be taught and sensitized by religious, traditional, and socio-cultural institutions on the need to shun spousal abuse of any sort.