Incidence of Domestic Violence Against Women and Children

Abstract

The incidence of domestic violence is a source of great worry to society at large. Victims are suffering while perpetrators seem to be enjoying the act. While children and women are been abused at homes and domestic settings, authorities responsible to protect and safeguard themselves show gross reluctant in their operations and measures to help victims of domestic violence. This is an act serious violation of human right calls for empirical investigation on reported cases of domestic violence against women with the domestic violence and victims support unit at the Asokwa Police station in Kumasi-Ghana. The study sought to identify the major causes of domestic violence at victims home, the effects of domestic violence on women and children and ways to curb domestic violence against women and children. The study adopted a case study design where data was collected through questionnaire and victims records on reported domestic violence. The study revealed that domestic violence has negative effects on victims as respondents indicated that they suffered from injuries, guilt, anger, depression/anxiety, shyness, nightmares, disruptiveness, irritability, and problems getting along with others. The study found that children who experience domestic violence perform poor in schools and experience vicarious trauma, show signs of exaggerated startle response, hyper-vigilance, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts. The study recommended that law enforcement authority such as the police should victims by ensuring that perpetrators are given the right punishment to serve as deterrence for future offenders.