KNOWLEDGE, PERCEPTION AND ATTITUDE OF UNDERGRADUATES TOWARDS INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE IN ENUGU METROPOLIS

Abstract

This study investigated the knowledge, perception and attitude of undergraduates towards intimate partners’ violence in Enugu Metropolis, Nigeria. A total of 400 randomly selected undergraduates took part in the study. Findings showed a knowledge gap about Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) among university undergraduates- supposedly knowledgeable young persons in Enugu Urban. Females were more knowledgeable than males which may be indicative of the fact that most often they are the victims. Victims of IPV among the undergraduates rarely report the infraction to the university authorities, which further encourage its perpetuation. Reasons for not reporting IPV include the fear of reprimands by victim’s parents or school authorities or further escalation. It was also found that IPV was not dependent on the number of years that victims had been in the relationship. Given the seeming unwillingness of majority of victims of IPV to report the breaches to appropriate authorities, it is concluded that curbing the menace would require commensurate sanctions and massive education of the population. It is on this note that this study recommends that IPV and gender violence as a whole be taught as one of the general courses in the universities to create more awareness on its prevalence, impact on the health and general well being of the victims. Furthermore, the authorities of universities should liaise with organizations handling issues of IPV and human rights to create centers in the universities where students can walk in and make complaints regarding IPV which would be rigorously investigated and addressed.