JayFM Commentary: Steming the Tide of Domestic Violence in Plateau State

Today’s News Commentary as Written by the News & Current Affairs Department of Jay FM

Domestic violence in Plateau state ,like in other parts of Nigeria and the world ,has continued to rise ,attracting both national and international attention.

According to the World Health Organization,domestic violence  is
any behavior within an intimate relationship that causes physical, psychological or sexual harm to those in the relationship, including acts of physical aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse and controlling behaviors

As  a global issue which cuts across all types of families irrespective of social, racial, economic or religious background and place of residence, the surge of domestic violence is said to be affecting lives and properties everywhere and Plateau state is no exception

Like women and children ,men also are known to be victims of domestic violence.

Regrettably ,most of the people who are boxed into the ring of domestic violence, choose to suffer in silence apparently due to the fear of stigmatization and shame.

The recent case of renowned gospel singer, Osinachi, who was said to have been suffering abuse in silence until she died, is still fresh in the minds of many people as it has further exposed  what others are passing through without raising a voice against it.

The death of the gospel singer has perhaps emboldened more people to speak up against domestic violence and shame perpetrators of the crime.

A recent  report in Plateau state of the death of 23-year-old Mercy, whose stomach was allegedly ripped open by her husband , has also   raised a fresh advocacy for the culture of silence to be broken and for victims to seek help before it becomes late.

Findings also  show that in the past two months , no fewer than 35 people have reported one form of violence or the other to a non-governmental organisation in Plateau State, seeking intervention.

The Plateau State Coordinator of the National Human Rights Commission, Mrs. Grace Pam, in a report equally  confirmed that there has been a tremendous increase in the number of domestic violence cases reported at the NHRC in  Jos compared to what the situation was two years ago.

Pam pointed out that between January and May this year, no fewer than 288 cases relating to domestic violence were reported to the office in the state.

Be that as it may,the number of reported cases  can possibly reduce in the state with the right attitudes,understanding and measures put in motion  

Many factors have been identified as being responsible for intimate partner domestic violence such as the individual upbringing ,cultural beliefs ,substance abuse  , unemployment,ineffective legal process,economic and social environment,among others

Although there has been concerted efforts towards addressing the problem of domestic violence   in various  homes and society at large, there is still much to be done, to put an end to it.

Therefore , Victims must  break the culture of silence and speak up given the devastating effects of domestic violence such as death , disease, insanity, dropping out of school for children ,separation of partners ,among others

They are equally encouraged to seek help immediately from the family, the police, the National Human Rights Commission , Ministry of Women Affairs, FIDA, and other any response agency close to them to take up issues on their behalf.

That way ,the issue of domestic violence can be greatly reduced  in various homes in Plateau state