IMPACT OF MASS MEDIA CAMPAIGN ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA
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IMPACT OF MASS MEDIA CAMPAIGN ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA
Chapter one
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background for the Study
Domestic violence has been reported in every nook and cranny of Nigerian society for quite some time. If a story about cults, prostitution, or baby factories is not trending in the country’s nooks and crannies, it may be about a husband murdering his wife or vice versa.
In many cases, it could be the outcome of a father sexually assaulting his daughter in attempt to gain an understanding of her. Nigerian women have faced marital rape and even murder at the hands of members of their own family, particularly the nuclear family, for purported sins such as failing to prepare meals on time and visiting relatives without their husband’s permission.
Many families, particularly women, are subjected to chemical and acid attacks by their spouses or partners, which cause severe pain, disfigurement, and, in some cases, death.
Domestic violence, as defined by the American Psychiatric Association (2005) and Oifig and Tánaiste (1997), can encompass physical, sexual, emotional, financial, and psychological abuse and affects all social groups.
Domestic violence is described as the intentional and continuing assault of any family member that causes harm, suffering, or pain (Aihie Ose, 2009). Any abusive treatment of a family member (physically or psychologically) by another person is illegal and violates fundamental human rights.
It includes abusive behaviour towards intimate partners and others, sexual assault on children, marital rape, and harmful customs for women. Domestic abuse occurs everywhere (Dahlberg and Krug, 2002; UNICEF, 2005). Domestic abuse has a wide-ranging impact on families of varied social, racial, educational, and religious backgrounds.
According to Djaden and Thoennes (2002), each year in the United States, women face around 4.8 million physical attacks and rapes involving intimate partners, while men face approximately 2.9 million similar assaults. Domestic violence appears to be widespread in West Africa, with some societies even sanctioning it to some extent.
Domestic violence in Nigeria is not a fresh occurrence. We awoke to reports of murder and other forms of violence. Domestic violence occurs in many areas of society. It affects people of all ages, working women and stay-at-home wives, religious believers and atheists, educated and illiterate people, married and single people.
Domestic violence is commonly blamed on women who nag, disobey, or attempt to usurp the man’s position as head of the household. It is sometimes characterised to as a type of treatment that allows a man to readily unload his fury or frustration on his wife or children, who are viewed as “lesser beings.”
Many women now agree that, depending on the circumstances, physical abuse may be justified. Most women in this predicament suffer in silence, hoping that one day their husbands will change their minds. Another aspect in the silence is the stigma and embarrassment that it will bring.
It is difficult to assess the prevalence of domestic violence in Nigeria because official statistics on the subject are insufficiently recorded. Furthermore, domestic violence incidents typically go unreported (ibid; AI 31 May 2005; Eze-Anaba 2006, 7; UK 25 May 2007, 96).
Women are reported to avoid reporting domestic violence for a variety of reasons, including respect for tradition, ignorance of their legal rights (VOA, 4 June 2007), pressure from family members to keep the peace at home, fear of the abuser’s retaliation, anxiety that their police report will not be taken seriously, and concern about their financial security (AI 31 May 2005, 7).
As a result, the purpose of this study is to critically assess the impact of mass media in raising awareness of domestic violence in Nigeria.
1.2 Statement of Problem
Victims of domestic violence may develop psychiatric illnesses as a result of the assault. In Nigeria, women are often the targets of this antisocial behaviour. A variety of human rights organisations, civil society groups, and concerned citizens have addressed the social problem, which has primarily endangered women and children.
The mainstream media is expected to play an important role in increasing awareness about sexual abuse incidents and amplifying the voices of people fighting against it.
According to Catalano, Lind, Rosenblatt, and Novaco (2003), high unemployment rates increase the likelihood of domestic violence. They discovered that jobless persons can feel angry and frustrated. They dubbed this the “provocative effect” since it shows how being unemployed causes anger in otherwise supportive personal relationships.
Other risk factors include traditional African cultural practices that condone child abuse and spousal battering. Obi and Ozumba (2007) revealed that wealth inequality favoured women, influential in-laws, educated women, and couples of similar ages were all substantially connected with domestic violence.
Communities, news organisations, religious organisations, institutions, bloggers, and all levels of government must all work together to tackle the issue of domestic violence in Nigeria. Seminars and seminars involving professional counsellors must be organised to help promote the anti-domestic violence campaign.
To emphasise the fact that domestic violence is a breeding ground for violence in society, it is critical to raise awareness in these venues. As a result, the primary focus of this research will be on assessing the media’s role in raising awareness of domestic abuse in Nigeria.
1.3 Objectives of the Study
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of mass media campaigns against domestic violence in Nigeria. However, the specific aims include:
i) Investigate the role of mass media in addressing domestic violence in Nigeria. ii) Evaluate its impact on raising awareness about the issue.
iii) To establish the ethical standards that must be considered by mass media in raising awareness about domestic abuse.
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