SPOUSAL VIOLENCE AND HELP SEEKING BEHAVIOUR OF MARRIED WOMEN IN YENAGOA CITY, BAYELSA STATE

ABSTRACT

The general goal of this research work was to study Spousal violence and help seeking behaviour of married women in Yenagoa city, Bayelsa State. The study had four specific research objectives and four research questions. This research work extensively discussed history of violence and familial abuse and the development of intimate; partner violence (IPV); etiology of intimate partner violence (IPV); reasons why women stay or leave abusive relationships; IPV survivor recidivism; women’s help-seeking for spousal violence; the role of social support in intimate partner violence; domestic violence programs and barriers to help-seeking for abusive relationships. the theoretical framework for this study was built on the resource perspective and Gondolf and Fisher’s survivor theory. The population of study for this work consists of women who are currently in one form of relationship with a man. Since the total target population of study is unknown, this research work applied a statistical formula in determining the sample size. Hence, the sample size for this study was determined using the Cochran formula for unknown population which gives a sample size for the study to be 138. This study involved the use of primary and secondary data. The study made use of questionnaire for the collection of data. The whole one hundred and thirty eight (138) questionnaires administered were retrieved by the researchers from the field and simple percentage in pie chart was used to analyze the research questions for the study. Based on the analysis of data and discussion of findings, the study concluded that there are different forms of spousal violence experienced by women in Yenagoga city; many factors usually lead to violence against women by their spouse in Yenagoa City and that women seek informal and informal help after being abused by their spouse. The study recommended among others that Government especially policy making and enforcing angencies should endeavour to make more strick laws that guides against spousal violence in all forms and their enforcements; Spouses should endeavour to do their best to control all factors that will lead violence in their home in order to experience harmony, peace and serenity in their home and that Families should learn not to accept violence as it creates a breeding ground for the high level of violence seen today.