Authors : DR. CHRIS MITCHELL OSAZUWA

Volume/Issue : Volume 9 - 2024, Issue 1 - January

Google Scholar : http://tinyurl.com/3dzscc6s

Scribd : http://tinyurl.com/mrxfbkzx

DOI : https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10521222

Abstract : Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive issue in Nigeria, exerting increasing control over women via physical, sexual, and emotional maltreatment. Cultural conventions, gender disparities, and socioeconomic elements interlace an intricate network of barriers for survivors in their quest for assistance, notwithstanding the endeavours of non-governmental organizations (NGO’s) and legal safeguards. By illuminating the dynamics of IPV, the Cycle of Violence Theory exposes the capacity of law enforcement to interrupt the cycle. Nevertheless, law enforcement encounters obstacles that are deeply entrenched in cultural prejudices, historical suppositions, and insufficient safeguards for sexual minorities. It is essential to surmount these obstacles through community collaboration, training, and awareness campaigns. The survivors themselves confront apprehension, social disapproval, and a lack of awareness regarding the support services that are accessible to them. This paper recommended some strategies like empowering individuals and dispelling the taboo by diminishing social stigma, cultivating supportive atmospheres, and raising awareness regarding available resources is crucial. The paper concluded that overcoming intimate partner violence (IPV) requires an all-encompassing strategy that not only confronts cultural norms but also empowers victims, enhances police response, and fortifies support services. Then and only then can Nigeria establish a safer and more secure future for all and recover from the traumas of IPV.

Keywords : Intimate Partner Violence, Cultural Norms, Police Response, Domestic Violence And Gender-Based Violence.