ABSTRACT

Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner. Domestic violence can happen to anyone regardless of the age, race, sexual orientation, religion or gender, and can take many forms. These forms include physical, sexual, emotional, economic and psychological abuse. Domestic violence is also the intention and persistent abuse of anyone in the home in a way that causes pain, distress or injury. It is any abusive treatment of one family member by another, thus violating the law of basic human right. The concept of domestic violence is not glued to a particular sex or gender, but it must be noted that it is more paramount with female folks. This is due to the fact that the female folks are sometimes perceived as weak and can therefore easily be subjected to ill treatment.

The aim of this research is to explain the concept of domestic violence and examine the various laws regulating domestic violence in Nigeria. The primary duty of any government is to provide for the welfare and security of its citizens, and to protect the citizens of a country by providing laws to help protect and safeguard their fundamental human rights.

The research will critically examine all the legal and regulatory mechanisms prescribing all forms of domestic violence against women in Nigeria, some of which are; the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, the child rights Act, convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women (CEDAW) violence against person’s prohibition act (VAPP), protection against domestic violence law (PADVL). This research will further examine the challenges and constraints against the effective protection of women against all forms of violence and it will proffer relevant recommendations to abate the menace.