Domestic Violence and Its Effect On Women: SSRN Electronic Journal January 2013

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Domestic Violence and Its Effect on Women
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DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.2364190
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International Journal of Innovation and Applied Studies
ISSN 2028-9324 Vol. X No. X Month 20XX, pp. XXX-XXX
© 20XX Innovative Space of Scientific Research Journals
http://www.issr-journals.org/ijias/
Domestic Violence and its Effect on Women
Appiah Seth Christopher Yaw1,Abubakari Mohammed2

1
Department of Sociology and Social Work,
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Kumasi, Ghana
EMAIL: SYCHRIST2007@GMAIL.COM
2
Department of Planning
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Kumasi, Ghana
EMAIL : Abubakarim63@yahoo.com
Corresponding author> Appiah Seth Christopher:sychrist2007@gmail.com.
ABSTRACT:
Background: Domestic violence is a social phenomenon that has caught the attention of all and sundry in
the recent times. The term domestic includes violence by an intimate partner wherever this violence takes
place and by whatever forms. Violence against women constitutes any act of gender-based violence that
results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women. This
study sought to evaluate and examine the problem of domestic violence in general and specifically detail
its effect on women in the Oforikrom Sub metro of the Ashanti region of Ghana
Methods: A sampling population of 60 mostly of females and few males was used in conducting the
research. In addition, key informants in the furniture industry were interviewed using a semi-structured
interview guide. The questionnaires containing open and closed questions on domestic violence abuse,
nature, its forms causes and remedial mechanisms were developed and administered. The questionnaires
Corresponding Author: First Author 1
Electronic copy available at: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2364190

Sample paper of International journal of Innovation and Applied Studies
were either self-administered or through the face-to-face interview. The data was edited and analysed
with the aid of SPSS software programme. Descriptive statistics was used in the analysis.
Results: The study brought to the fore that amidst the best means of mechanism for resolving conflict by
respondents was allowing the natural sequence of time as each partner gets over it and they come together.
Again it was unearthed that the demand for sex was mutual yet females continue to lack behind in terms of
initititing a desire to have sex with partner . Money matters continue to be the major source of conflict in
the marriages /relationships as a greater number of people in relatioship/marriages are forced to do things
beyond their wish. Among the challenges faced women include a persistent refusal and inability to report
cases due to fear of collapse of marriage or intimate relationships .
Recommendations: Among the recommendations includes the need for the DOVVSU unit of the police
force to have a hot line with specialist who can attend to women when they are being abused. There is also
a call for the ministry of education to integrate domestic violence study courses into the sylabi from basis
to secondary to teach children respect for human dignity and tolerance as they will grow to live with it.
ISSN: 2028-9324 Vol. X No. X, Month 20XX 2

First Author, Second Author, Third Author, Fourth Author and Fifth Author
KEYWORDS: Domestic Violence, Relationships, Partner, Socio-cultural, Abuse
1.1 BACKGROUND
There is no universally accepted definition of violence against women. Some human rights activists
prefer a broad-based definition that includes "structural violence" such as poverty, and unequal access to
health and education. Others have argued for a more limited definition in order not to lose the actual
descriptive power of the term.
The term domestic includes violence by an intimate partner wherever this violence takes place and by
whatever forms (Innocenti Digest no. 6 2000) [1]. The United Nations Declaration on the Elimination of
Violence against Women (1993)[2] defines violence against women as "any act of gender-based violence
that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women,
including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or
in private life. This definition refers to the gender-based roots of violence, recognizing that "violence
against women is one of the crucial social mechanisms by which women are forced into a subordinate
position compared with men." It broadens the definition of violence by including both the physical and
psychological harm done towards women, and it includes acts in both private and public life. The
definition is further expanded in some academic quarters to mean Physical abuse such as slapping,
beating, arm twisting, stabbing, strangling, burning, choking, kicking, threats with an object or weapon,
and murder. It also encompasses traditional practices harmful to women such as female genital mutilation
and wife inheritance (the practice of passing a widow, and her property, to her dead husband‟s brother).
Again it is also thought of as Sexual abuse such as coerced sex through threats, intimidation or
physical force. It could as well involve forcing unwanted sexual acts or forcing sex with others,
Psychological abuse including behaviour that is intended to intimidate and persecute, and takes the form
of threats of abandonment or abuse, confinement to the home, surveillance, threats to take away custody
of the children, destruction of objects, isolation, verbal aggression and constant humiliation. An expanded
form of domestic violence carries with it Economic abuse made up of acts such as the denial of funds,
ISSN: XXXX-XXXX Vol. X No. X, Month 20XX 3

refusal to contribute financially, denial of food and basic needs, and controlling access to health care,
employment, etc. not forgetting a new component Acts of omission, Gender biases that discriminates in
terms of nutrition, education and access to health care all amounting to a violation of women's right
The Domestic Violence Act of Ghana was passed in February 2007 and enacted into law in May 2007.
Women and children are often in great danger in the place where they should be safest: within their
families. For many, „home‟ is when they face a regime of terror and violence at the hands of somebody
close to them – somebody they should be able to trust (UNICEF, 1999)[3]. Domestic violence can
be easily distinguished as being a disease which spreads rapidly and occurs in all religious groups, all
races, relationships and to people of all ages.
Until late, domestic violence was seen in the Ghanaian setting as a trivial issue which did not merit any
probe (Straus (1999)[4] has indicated that this is due to the fact that Violence in the home was considered
as a private matter by the states law enforcing agencies and as such accorded it less importance and
attention.
The element of discouragement that characterize victims that ever reported their cases at the police
was a strong sign of warning to tell them they better settle the issue at home with their partners. Among
the numerous reasons accounting for this resides the entrenched for the traditional setting and socio-
cultural undertones in Ghana, this was considered as inevitable. Violence in the home was considered as a
trivial issue and not worthy of any form of investigation. In effect, violence in the home was considered
as part of the Ghanaian culture. It was and still is very difficult for women to admit in public that they are
being maltreated by their partners because some of them found it disgraceful to bring their family matters
to the public domain (Oyenkami, 1997)[5].
Domestic violence has been outlined by Amnesty International as most violent attacks on an
individual or group of people or women. It involves physical, sexual and psychological violence in the
family including battering, sexual abuse of female children in the household, dowry related
violence, marital rape, female genital mutilation and other traditional practices harmful to any

member of the household. Domestic violence may be exhibited by any member of the household
(Amnesty International 1995)[6].
Domestic violence is has assumed national and international attention (Amnesty International, 1995).
It is on the rise in most countries around the world. It is a pattern of on-going hurtful controlling
activities, including physical, sexual, emotional and verbal abuse. Domestic violence is perpetrated
against women in most cases as compared to those against males
In every part of the World, governments and non-governmental and international organizations are
trying to collaborate to come out with appropriate measures to mitigate this canker eating fast the fiber of
society.
In Ghana, the Ministry of Children‟s and Women‟s Affairs (MOWAC) has been established to focus
on the interest of children and women. The rationale for the establishment of MOWAC stems from the
idea that women and children are vulnerable hence prone to domestic violence. Another important unit
has also been set up in the Ghana Police Service that is the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit
(DOVVSU) to handle domestic violence cases in the country.
Women, all over the World agitated and fought for human dignity, more especially, the dignity
of women. Significant among these moves was the Beijing Platform for Action (BPFA, 1998).
International Federation of Women lawyers (FIDA) is one of the organizations in Ghana which
plays advocacy roles in combating all kinds of violence against children and women in society.
1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT
The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women which was
accepted by the United Nations General Assembly some 20 years ago is still nurturing teeth to bite fully
in Africa despite the few canines and incising tooth that has developed. Shubhangi, Parker et al (2003)[7]
details Data collected from several Demographic and Health Surveys as revealing a high percentage of
women who have been beaten by a spouse or partner: Cambodia (18 percent), Colombia (44 percent),

Dominican Republic (22 percent), Egypt (34 percent), Haiti (29 percent), India (19 percent), Nicaragua
(30 percent), Peru (42 percent), and Zambia (48 percent). According to these surveys, women who were
the victims of violence failed to seek help for a variety of reasons: embarrassment and shame; the belief
that it would be futile to seek care; and the view that violence dealt out by one‟s partner is inescapable, a
burden simply to be endured. In some countries, poor women were more likely than other women to have
experienced violence at the hands of their spouses or partners. Where the connection can be explored,
strong links have emerged between spousal alcohol abuse and intimate-partner violence. In a study by
Kishor and Johnson (2004)[8], men in a slum community north of Mumbai, deeply frustrated by the lack
of work, were reported to have a high incidence of alcoholism and often beat and verbally abused their
wives.
This is especially true with respect to countries like Ghana which enacted its domestic violence act in
February. 2007. The more than decade-old Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the Platform for
Action adopted at the Fourth International Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995, all reflect this
consensus. But progress has been slow because attitudes are deeply entrenched and, to some extent,
because effective strategies to address domestic violence are still being defined. As a result, women
worldwide continue to suffer, with estimates varying from 20 to 50 per cent from country to country. The
worsening plight of women who stand great victims to this fate is exacerbated especially among those in
the rural areas. Rural communities are frequently characterized as being conservative and harmonious, yet
these images mask the diversity within communities and conceal the negative consequences if individuals
are perceived to challenge the dominant rural ideology.
Aside the culture of silence that characterizes the problem, women who are bold enough find it so
frustrating in the middle of the reported cases. Due to the over-crowded dockets, a lack of resources, and
judicial attitudes towards domestic violence, the courts often will permit and even encourage settlement
when a third party intervenes denying victims the prerogative to pursue criminal punishment of
perpetrators for the harms victims have suffered. Currently, victims seeking relief from domestic violence

and related problems are required to initiate several distinct and often lengthy legal proceedings. A
woman who was physically abused and deprived of maintenance money by her spouse, for example,
would be required to initiate one proceeding to punish the assault and a separate proceeding to recover
maintenance. The inefficiency of the current system to address the concerns of victimized women exposes
victims to the risk of further violence and other forms of control by their abusers while their legal
proceedings are pending.
For many reasons among the multifaceted nature of domestic women abuse, victims often do not want
to pursue criminal charges against their abusers. Victims often fear that pursuing criminal prosecution
will put their safety at greater risk and often do not want their abuser to be imprisoned; they just want the
abuse to stop. Because criminal prosecution is a victim‟s only avenue for securing legal relief from abuse
under the current system, many victims are deterred from soliciting the state‟s aid in ending abuse. As a
result, the
The Domestic Violence Bill (2007)[9] brings hopes of remedy to the deficiencies in the current system
by granting domestic violence victims the right to petition for civil protection orders and interim
protection orders, which address the causes and consequences of domestic violence and offer immediate
and longer-term relief from abuse without requiring criminal prosecution. Protection orders deter the
commission or threat of further acts of domestic violence by prohibiting a perpetrator from engaging in
conduct including abusing, harassing, or contacting the victim, and ordering a perpetrator to stay away
from a victim.
Moreover, protection orders prohibit a range of behaviors not currently subject to legal restriction,
including “any act (of the perpetrator) which the Court considers is not in the best interest of the [victim].
But the question that one ask is how many of victimized Ghanaian women will or are prepared to report
their partners. Although the Protection orders also can address contributing factors to and secondary
effects of domestic violence by imposing conditions upon respondents, including: requirements to
exercise good behavior, seek counseling, move out of a shared home, pay maintenance, relinquish

property to the victim, and compensate the victim for damages, these measures seem to challenge the
stability of relationships and marriages which is seen as socially prestigious for every woman to be
proud of to have been married or at least have a boy friend.
The social stigma alone concerning a woman divorcee carries with it an indication of a poor character
or otherwise. During the first half of 2002, 679 spousal abuse cases had been reported to DOVVSU.
Women and children seem to be the most of the victims. Men also suffer from domestic violence though
the number of men in such circumstances is insignificant compared to the number of cases reported by
women. 71% of the reported cases of assault are perpetrated by husbands, 7.5% by boyfriends, and 6% by
ex-husbands, whilst 13% are committed by women mainly step mothers and rivals. On the other hand
84% of victims are women, children, disabled and the aged with 3% of victims being males. The age
group of victims in Ghana is between the ages of 13 and 30. In light of the alarming rates of women
domestic violence, the study seeks to find answers to the following questions;
1. What factors have accounted for the growing concerns of domestic violence in the country?
2. Are domestic violence cases limited only to woman than to men?
3. Has there been any success with the passage of the domestic violence act.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The study has as its main objective the forms and causes of domestic violence abuses against
women at the Oforikrom sub metro. It is meant to unravel the myth surrounding domestic violence
abuse. Specifically the study seeks to:
1. Find out the factors that promote domestic violence abuse and specifically against women
2. Examine whether women who domestically abuse their male partners is on the increase at the
Oforikrom –Anloga communities
3. Examine whether women are able to take appropriate action (legal or otherwise) against their
partners when they are domestically abused.

1.4 ASSUMPTIONS
The research is underpinned by the following assumptions
1. Women who are domestically abused do not report their male partners to the police
2. The abuse of women and men domestically are the same just men have a high coping strategies to
manage the situation than the women causing the high awareness of female domestic violence
comparable to the males
3. Women domestically abused continue to remain in their relationship with their partners chiefly
because of economic dependence on their male partners.
1.5 JUSTIFICATION AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Violence against women in Ghana is influenced by attitudes and values .These social attitudes and
values in the country cause many to consider men as naturally superior to women and makes it a man's
right and responsibility to control the behavior of women. In a rather surprising way the very structures
which are supposed to seek and protect the right of women contribute to domestic violence indirectly. The
study is thereof geared towards this area to have a comprehensive view of domestic violence on women.
Violence of any form enviably must be adequately addressed well if we are committed to ensuring
violence free society.
The study would be very significant in the sense that it will enlighten actors, gender activist in the bid
to implementing and strengthening the domestic violence act. Again the study will bring to the knowledge
of males who take the law into their own hands and inflict violence acts on women to be careful of the
repercussion of their actions on the life of their partners.
Finally, the study will create awareness among significant others, opinion leaders and educational
authority on the effects of domestic violence on the woman and its implications to the Ghanaian Society.

It shall also give important insight on the nature, forms and varying degrees of violence that is meted
out to women domestically. It shall again contribute to the existing stock of knowledge in domestic
violence as well as domestic dispute resolution since it will serve as a source of documentation.
Lastly, the study when completed and its recommendation and suggestions implemented by, opinion
leaders, stakeholders particularly the DOVVSU division of the Ghana Police service at the Oforikrom sub
metro district, it will help reduce the high rate of domestic violence abuses.
1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
The study evaluates the challenges faced by women in relationships/marriages as they continue to be
domestically abused in the Oforikrom sub metro of the Ashanti region with a view to exploring a more
sustainable, integrative, value friendly institutionally structured and legally permissible ways of
addressing domestic violence on women. The scope of this study spans across the selected communities
in the Oforikrom sub metropolitan district of the Ashanti region with women being the focus. The study
will therefore concern itself with both male and females above 18 years but with females much in focus.

RESEARCH METHODS
3.0 Introduction
To ensure proper collection and analyses of data in this study, the researcher resolved to collect both
primary and secondary data. This is aimed at making sure that all the relevant materials or information
required for the study are acquired and utilized. Therefore, this chapter is designed to articulate various
research methods, sampling procedures employed and its justification, research setting, research
population or sample size used and also the statistical techniques used for the analyses of the data. This
chapter basically explains the basic research methods employed to undertake this study.
3.1 Research Setting
The research setting is the Ashanti region of Ghana. Ashanti region is one of the ten (10) regions in
Ghana. It is centrally located in the middle belt of Ghana. It shares boundaries with four of the ten
political regions: Brong-Ahafo in the north, Eastern region in the east, Central region in the south and
Western region in the south west. Kumasi is the capital city of Ashanti region. The total land area
occupied by the region is 24,389 square kilometers representing 10.2 per cent of the total land area of
Ghana. The 2000 population census (GSS, 2005)[19], states that the region has a population of about
3,612,950 (50.3% males and 49.7% females) and the main economic activity of the region is agriculture –
crop cultivation, hunting and forestry. For the purpose of the study, three towns within the Oforikrom sub
metro were randomly selected. The Ayigya-Ayeduase-Tech communities constitute major fast growing
commercial towns in the Oforikrom Sub metro district of the Ashanti region of Ghana.
3.2 Research Population and Sample Size
The first step in obtaining a sample is to define the population. This means identifying the
characteristics which members of the study group have in common and which is used to identify units of
a particular group. In selecting samples for this study that meets conditions of randomness, the researcher,

having identified the problem, will define the characteristics of the population which provided the sample
information in the course of this survey as women and men of reproductive age between 18 and 49. The
questionnaire/interview guides were prepared and administered to ensure fair and equitable distribution
and responses from the respondents which were expected to give a true or fair representation of the views
of the respondents to allow for generalization in the final analysis. Three factors determine the size of an
adequate sample: these are the nature of population, types of sampling design and degree of precision
desired. Using a sample that is too large is a waste of resources while using a sample that is to small
means getting results that are likely to be lacking in validity. This study will attempt to balance these two
issues by distributing relatively adequate number of questionnaires amounting to hundred (60) for fair
representation. Thus, the sample size for this study was sixty.
3.3 Sampling Procedure
No concept is as fundamental to the conduct of research and the interpretation of its results as sampling.
Except when a complete census or survey is taken, research is almost invariably conducted by means of a
sample, on the basis of which generalizations applicable to the population from which the sample was
obtained are reached. Sampling means taking any portion of a population as a representative of the
population. The method applied to select the sample size in this study was the stratified sampling method.
Twumasi (2001)[20] has asserted that under stratified sampling the entire population is divided into
meaningful strata. The entire population (all women and men of reproductive age at Knust-Ayeduase)
will be divided into groups, that is, Ayigya, KNUST and Ayeduase .A total number of 20 respondents
was selected each from Ayigya, KNUST and Ayeduase to specifically provide information that would
be relevant to the study.
Thus, the proportional allocation of the stratified sampling technique will be used to obtain the sample
size for the study which is sixty (60).The purposive sampling was be used in getting respondents from the
Knust community.

This was aimed at getting responses from married students, students in relationships as well as the
university staff both teaching and non teaching. The simple random sampling was then be used to draw
from each of the two communities which drew a portion of a population so that each member of the
population had an equal chance of being selected. In other words, in a random sampling all possible
samples of fixed size have the same probability of being selected. A sample drawn at random is unbiased
in the sense that no member of the population has any more chance of being selected than any other
member.
The major factor that prompted the choice of this sampling technique in the remaining two communities
was to obtain external validity. In addition, sampling serves the practical purpose of making possible the
study of problems which otherwise could not be undertaken at a reduced cost. In other words, since in
sampling data are collected from only a small fraction of the aggregate, expenditures are smaller than if a
complete survey or census is attempted. With large populations as the case of this study, accurate results
enough to be useful will be obtained from samples that represent only a small fraction of the population.
The study of total population is impractical, whereas sampling makes possible the conducting of large
scale studies. Also, there is greater accuracy in the processing of the data when the volume of work is
reduced. The units of the population are alike in some significant aspects. The relevance of using random
sampling technique emanates from the crucial role it plays. The type of information required in the study
was clearly spelt out under the objective of the study. There was a pre-designed questionnaire which was
meant to elicit the required information in an analyzable form. Designed questionnaires were self-
administered
3.3 Research Design and Justification
The study was a social survey. Social survey is a process in which researchers translate a research
problem into questionnaires, and then use the questionnaires with respondents to create data (Neuman,
2000)[21]. It is a process of asking many people the same questions and examining their answers.

Respondents (male and women of reproductive age 18-49 years) were asked the same questions. Here,
facts were sourced on the various forms of domestic violence, forms and patterns of marriages/
relationships of women at the Ayigya- KNUST -Ayeduase communities.
The choosing of a primary method of investigation is a key consideration for this study. The study
carefully observed the distinctive criteria for choosing the above survey method in the investigation of the
research problem-effects of domestic violence abuse on women.
The human element has become recognized increasingly as a fundamental and determining factor in the
definition of truth and knowledge in research.
The study was underpinned by a quantitative approached which was used to obtain definable and
quantifiable "social facts" about domestic violence on women. Empirical data were sourced and put into
quantifiable and behavioral statistics.
3.4 Types of Data
Any Scientific problems can be solved only on the basis of data and a major task of the investigator is to
set-up a research design capable of providing the data necessary for the solution of the study problem.
The main data for the study was primary data, which was collected using structured questionnaires. The
Questionnaires was both self-administered and through face-to-face interview, which was used to collect
the primary data for the study. Other sources of data were sourced from journals, books, articles,
newsletters, magazines, the internet and published and unpublished materials.
The researcher also obtained data from existing documents of domestic violence reported cases at the
Ashanti region domestic violence unit of the Ghana Police Service. Some national and international
records and experiences on domestic violence abuse on women were accessed to ensure that the research
outcomes and experiences on female domestic violence were logically explained.

3.5 Instruments or Tools Used in the Study
The basic analyses used in this study were the conventional instruments that are frequently employed for
statistical analyses and measurement in most studies. These tools of analysis are tables which are used for
the presentation of information and data in a tabular form either those acquired from the field or from the
archives (documentation). The charts (bar and pie charts) will be equally used to present the information
displaying their trend or movement over time and space.
3.5.1 Questionnaire:
Survey testing represents the most systematic program conducted. The questionnaire is perhaps, the most
used and the most abused survey instrument.
Questionnaire really constitutes the first attempt at scaling. The questionnaires are advantageous
whenever the sample size is large enough to make it uneconomical for reasons of time or funds to observe
or interview every subject. The questionnaires designed were in two parts. The first part is a classification
section. This requires such details of the respondent sex, age, occupation etc. The second part possesses
the questions relating to the subject matter of the inquiry. The responses for this second part form the
basis of our data presentation and analysis. These represent purely the primary source of data collection.
The questionnaire designed contained both open and closed questions.
The open questions gave the respondents the freedom to decide the aspect, detail and length of their
answers. It enabled the respondents to give a more adequate presentation of their particular cases and
convey flexibility in their choice. The closed questions on the other hand were designed to keep the
questionnaire to a reasonable length and this encouraged response and validity in terms of the
representativeness of the returns. It was the hope that it will minimize the risk of misinterpretation unlike
the former. It also permitted easier tabulation and interpretation by the researcher.

The question on whether to use either open or closed questionnaire was resolved on the basis of validity,
reliability and usability, and in as much as the problem under review was varied and complex, a
combination of the two was better than the exclusive use of one. This study employed the use of both
open and closed questionnaires.
3.5.2 Structured Personal Interview
The study applied Personal interviewing as another method in the collection of primary data. It is very
similar in nature and purpose to the questionnaire. As a research method, the interview is a conversation
carried out with the definite aim of obtaining certain information. It is designed to gather valid and
reliable information through the responses of the interviewee to a planned sequence of questions. These
questions will however be structured similar to the open and closed questions of the questionnaire
respectively as discuss earlier. The form of the opening interview is crucial, nevertheless, to win those
who are less willing to cooperate. The aim of the large scale survey through the interview will be to attain
uniformity in the asking of questions and recording of answers.
3.7 Data Handling
At the end of each day, each administered questionnaire was cross-checked for completeness and
internal consistency. Afterwards, each questionnaire was kept in labeled files with date and inscription on
it. Information provided by respondents was handled with confidentiality.
3.7.1 Data Processing and Analysis
The researcher performed control checks on the questionnaires administered. Each administered
questionnaire was be given a code and keyed into a computer for data processing. The data analysis was
done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).
3.8 Ethical Consideration

Permission was sought from the women before commencing with the administration. The purpose and
objectives of the research was clearly discussed with the respondents so as to obtain their full consent.
Strict confidentiality and anonymity was observed.
4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1 Introduction
This chapter seeks to analyze the data and presents the findings from the study. The results have been
discussed under headings that directly reflect the research objectives. The data collected from the field
was analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative means. The primary data was analyzed using the
Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS).The result and finding
4.2 BIO-DATA OF RESPONDENTS
The study sought to unearth the sex composition respondents. Due to the purposive nature of the
sampling, the findings of the study revealed that females dominated. The study sought to find out sex
distribution of respondents. Out of the sixty respondents 16 representing 27 % were males and 44
respondents representing 73 % were males. It can be clearly observe that majority of the respondents were
male students. This shows that the responses reflect on the major views of women on domestic violence.
This is depicted in figure [1]. The researcher examined the distribution of the respondent‟s age. This was
done to detail age pattern of women and the few male respondents to make inference from them.
From the study which has been illustrated in figure [2], the researcher sought to find out the age
distribution of the respondents. From the study, it was observed that out of the 60 respondents 14
respondents were under 20 years,30 students were within the age range of 21-30 years and 15
respondents was within the age range of 31 -40 years. Six respondents were within the age range of 51-60
years. None of them were above 60 years. That is majority of the respondents were within the age range

of 21 – 30 years. These finding shows a pattern of the national population distribution were the youthful
population constitute the majority.
Domestic violence abuse though not perpetrated in marriages alone but mostly occurs in marriages. This
study sought to unearth the marital position of the respondents. The findings are shown in the figure [3].
From the figure [3], it came to the fore that the composition of married persons at the study area was 23
(38.3 %). Only 5 % of the sampled persons had divorced statuses. The greater majority of the
respondents were in relationship.
The fact that the greater composition of respondents were within the age range of 21-30, shows that
they were either preparing towards marriage or were advancing their career. However the study detailed
that the notion of courting and dating had become the order of the day hence the higher number of
respondents being in relationships. The study found out that those in relationship constitute 32 (53.3 %)
more than half of the total sampled. This has been illustrated on Table [2]
In an attempt to know educational background of respondents, respondents were asked to identify their
educational group. This has been outline in the table 4.2.1 as 14 (23.3) responded that, they had
education up to the SSS level. 20 (33.3 %) of the respondents said they had education up to the
vocational/Technical level. Another 16 (26.6 %) had had post secondary diploma education. The number
of women who had had their first degree constitutes 10 (16.6 %)
This means that majority of the respondents at least had education up to the secondary level. It is
generally expected that as one acquires education, the more one easily receives information through
education such women will make moves towards affiliating with news items that concerns domestic
violence due to the educationally acquired attitudes and perceptions.
As shown in fig [4] the study also considered the occupation of the respondents. It was clearly
observed that 24 (40 %) respondents were students whilst 17 (28 %) were into secretarial works. Women
who were into trade constitute 8 %. There were 18 % respondents who were into varied activities which
enveloped around unspecified businesses .None of them indicated that they were unemployed. To indicate
they were unemployed means they were not working at all however ones they were engage in something,
thus doing something it was a form of employment as far as it fetched them something. This means that
majority of the respondents were working.
In order for the researcher to detail how long respondents had stayed in their relationship/marriage.
The study showed that the greater number of the respondents had married or been in relationship for
between 1 and 2 years. This is shown in Figure [5]. This constitute 20 (33.3 %) of the entire women and
few men who were interviewed. Those who had lived more than five years were 17 (28.3 %). Women
who had lived with their partners for 3-5 years and within one year were 13.3 % and 25 % respectively of
the total number of women studied.
4.3 DECISION MAKING AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ABUSE
The study found out that women did not need to seek permission from their partners and the same way
applies to males who were interviewed. This was confirmed by 55 (92 %) responses from both female
and male respondents. Only 5 (8 %) of the respondents needed to seek or sought permission from their
partners before travelling to other places. From table [3] it was identified that women still perform their
basic role of the as expected in the Ghanaian circles. The study has shown that 50 (83.3 %) of the
respondents who are males and females do the cooking or the males their female partners do the cooking.
The study therefore demonstrates that decisions about cooking do not constitute a source of conflict
leading to abuse since the traditional role of women has not changed entirely. Ten 10 (16.7 %) of the
respondents have themselves as the cooks (female respondents) or for the female allows their male
partners to cook.
The decision to have sex has been identified to be a major source of domestic violence. The findings
of this study depicts that[ as indicated in figure 6] the desire to have sex was usually mutual. This

response was sourced from 42 (70 %) of the respondents. As noted by Coker-Appiah &Kusac (1999)[14]
three in ten Ghanaian women admit to having been forced to have sex by their male partners but the
finding of this study seems to have a different position since mutual or consented decision to have sexual
affair recorded the highest response.
The reasons could possibly be that because a greater number of the women and men were not married
and in relationships, men could not entirely exercise their domineering role over their female partners.
Again the level of the respondent could be a reason accounting for the mutual understanding in terms
of sexual fulfillment. Men interviewed admitted that having an affair with ones partner without her
consent constitute rape. However, 10 (17 %) of male saw that the decision to have sex was their sole
initiative which often constituted sexual abuse. 8 (13 %) of the females were able to initiate sex with their
partners but usually their partners responded which made the act a non-violent to their male partners.
Decision making in the family/relationship was done through communication with both partners. At times
it was identified that most males took the decision for the union. As to what happens when disagreement
occurs with decisions [as indicated in fig.7], it was generally identified that, on the part of the female they
play the ostrich tactics of wait and see what happens or mostly express their disapproval of the decision
giving reasons for their disagreement.
On the male part, it came to the fore that sometimes explanations do not cause agreement and as such
the decisions are taken outright. This finding shows that cultural attitudes held by men as having the right
to discipline has not entirely and neither is it changing either. The mechanism that characterized both
males and females in terms of conflict resolution was allowing tempers to calm down and the conflict
resolve. The causes of conflict that leads to abuse has been detailed in the figure [8]. The major source of
conflict that accounted for abuse on women from the study was money matters. Whiles 18 % gave
political dissents, 17 % affirmed that sex was a crucial issue that often resulted in conflict and
subsequently abuses. Of the total respondents, 32 % blamed their conflict and subsequent abuse on
money issues. This is explained in terms of the greater number of women who depend on their partners.

This position causes them to become virtual beggars at the hands of their partners as a male partner
withholds funds that affect the quality of life of women. When women challenge such with their partners
it earns them abuse. Gender Centre (2002)[13] notes that “the right to chastise, correct or discipline
contested by very few and for some, this also means that there is no such thing as violence against women
and children. This study‟s findings are tilted towards corroborating such earlier finding by the centre.
4.4 FORMS AND TYPES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ABUSE
From the figure [9], the greatest forms of abuse were specified as other. Further probing revealed that
beating, insults, sheer display of stinginess led in the form of abuse that characterize the forms of abuse
that women and the few selected men go through. This constitute 21 (35 %) of the responses. The other
forms of domestic abuse were hitting (16.7 % ), biting ( 8.3 % ), pushing ( 8.3 % ), choking ( 21.7 % ) ,
kicking ( 10 % ). The study further showed that women mostly abused men through choking as the other
forms of abuse were done by men against women. The finding agrees with the Criminal Code 1960 (Act
29) definition of what constitute physical abuse.
Again this finding reflects that of the recent report by Ashanti regional Police Domestic Violence and
Victims Support Unit (DOVVSU) indicating 2,416 cases for the first quarter of 2012 as against 2011 total
of 2,000 cases with the various forms of domestic violent abuses involved defilement, physical assault,
harassment, neglect of parental duties, abduction, offensive conduct and child abuse. From the table [4]
above most women fall prey to being forced to do things against their will. These include sex, a call by
their partners to embark on ventures which they might not necessarily have interest. Males who
responded to this item indicated that they sometimes bought things for their partners against their own
will. These actions when it piles up to the point they cannot be able to continue doing them ends in abuses
of their partners. It can be seen from the table above that 80 % comprising males and female had ever
been forced by partner to do against their will. Those who had never been forced to do things against their
will comprised 20 % of the population

The table [5] shows that 10% of respondents have been threatened by their partners to harm them with
deadly weapons. The greater numbers who constitute 54 (90 %) responded no to the question. Further
probing from all the respondent indicated that none of them both women and men had ever reported their
partners for causing any abuse. Matthew, 2004[11] identified that nearly all physically abusive
relationships include an element of emotional and psychological, abuse .
The findings of this study affirmed that victims in this category felt emotionally unstable. When
reasons were elicited for the failure, the responses indicated there was no need to bring in the police in
their domestic matters as they could solve it later themselves. The knowledge of the domestic violence
bill aimed at helping women was even not mentioned as most women did not know and for those who
have ever heard they just had a gist of what it entails.
The analysis of the variable in table [6] above shows that partners of respondents had had drinking
problem. Careful examination of the responses revealed that mostly it was the male partners who had
drinking problems. There was few reported cases by males who had their partners entrenched in drinking.
This study is similar to the findings in a study by Kishor and Johnson (2004)[8] that men in a slum
community north of Mumbai, deeply frustrated by the lack of work, were reported to have a high
incidence of alcoholism and often beat and verbally abused their wives. Those who reported alcohol
problem with their partners comprise 18 (30 %) of the total population as against those without such
problems with their partners who were 42 ( 70 % ).
Despite the knowledge of respondents partners ability to harm them, the study reveals that only 17 (28
%) of respondent were afraid of the potency of their partners in harming them.
The greater number of the respondents especially the women declined ever being afraid of living with
their partner‟s .This number represent 72 % of the total number of respondents. This confirms the position
[4]
of Straus (1999) who indicated that failure of women to take action is buttressed by the fact that
Violence in the home is considered as a private matter. This confirms Oyenkami, (1997)[5] study that, it

was and still is very difficult for women to admit in public that they are being maltreated by their partners
because some of them found it disgraceful to bring their family matters to the public domain. This is
shown in Fig [9].

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS.
5.1 Introduction
Domestic violence occurs within the context of a domestic relationship .The study had as its main
objective detailing domestic violence abuses against women at the Oforikrom sub metro district. It is
meant to unravel the myth surrounding domestic violence abuse. Specifically the study sought to:
1. Find out the factors that promote domestic violence abuse and specifically against women
2. Detail whether women who domestically abuse their male partners is on the increase at the
Oforikrom sub metro district
3. Examine whether women are able to take appropriate action (legal or otherwise) against their
partners when they are domestically abused
4. Analyze the policy implications, relevance and efficacy of the passage of the domestic violence
act in addressing the domestic violence problem as well as the integrative strategy for combating
the menace.
5.2 MAJOR FINDINGS
The study brought to the fore that most women did not require their partners‟ approval before
travelling. However this had to do with short journeys and not long mileage. It was further noted that the
decision to have sex was usually mutual .This prove surprising as male request followed and the female
initiation was the last thing. A further probe shows that it was the males rather who give signals and the
women respond but in times of the women‟s failure to respond positively it resulted in sexual rape
leading to sexual assault.

The traditional role of women in cooking has not change but the finding shows that men are beginning
to appreciate the need to assist their partners in the kitchen amidst the harsh economic situations and
numerous responsibilities placed on women.
5.2.1 : Factors that promote domestic violence
The study found out that domestic violence occurs in domestic relationships. Critical among the
findings was the fact that women viewed domestic violence as a normal occurrence that did not require
any noise making about it. The definition of violence was conceived as those extreme cases that brought
about injury. The pushing, choking, petty insults, enforcement of decisions on partners were not seen as
violence or abuse either. These were seen as normal happenings and inevitable and part of progressions in
marriages and relationships.
Reporting of abuse was absent and this causes the growth of the domestic violence canker. This
development has been entrenched because women feel that is how they have been brought up as it forms
part of their world view. Monetary issues in the home came as the major source of conflict and
subsequent abuse. This was due to women overreliance on their male partners as well as the male sheer
demonstration of stinginess towards their partners. Irresponsibility on the part of most males was cited as
a cause of domestic abuse.
The normalization of the problem increases it. The assumption that underpinned this study holds since
it has been seen women do not report domestic violence abuse cases at the police let alone see how the
law enforcement agencies will behave. They only situations they may report are when their lives have
been endangered severely not even when they fear it will be endangered.
5.2.2: Women abuse of male partners
The study did not find any increase of female abuse of their partners in the study area. It came to the
fore that the major form of physical abuse that women used on their partners was choking. This was

however identified to be very minimal. The greatest forms of abuse were usually carried out by males
towards their female partners.
5.2.3: Report of domestic violent abuse cases by women
The results of the study has shown that women at the study area do not report cases of domestic
violence abuse not because they have never been abuse but it was not ideal for them to do that. Again the
abuse done them by their partners were seen to be trivial and did not require any report to the police since
they could handle it themselves. Conflict resolution mechanism used was through conciliation and
compromise and sometimes taking away the conflicting item through deciding not to comment or touch
the conflicting item again at all.
5.2.4 Policy implications, relevance and efficacy of the domestic violence bill in addressing
domestic violence abuse
The findings of this study show that most women were unaware of the domestic violence bill. Those
who were in the known of the bill had a sketch knowledge and did not actually know what the bill seeks
to do for mostly women. Among the outcomes they expect from the bill is that women abused would be
compensated. Another thing that women expected was that their partners would apologize. This finding
suggest that women were mostly not willing that their partners will be put behind bars when convicted of
such abuse. This is explained from the view that they d not want to see their partners put into prison
despite the gravity of the harm that they might have caused their female partners
5.3 RECOMMENDATIONS
Domestic violence is on the rise in most countries around the world. It is a pattern of on-going hurtful
controlling activities, including physical, sexual, emotional and verbal abuse. Domestic violence is
perpetrated against women in most cases. Domestic violence can be easily distinguished as being a
disease which spreads rapidly and occurs in all religious groups, all races, relationships and to people of

all ages. These acts will continue, until our society takes steps to prevent it. The findings of this study
have demonstrated that women continue to be abused in several diverse forms. This therefore requires
concerted efforts to tackle the root cause. The following recommendations are made to address this
canker
First of all, the authorities should be present to prevent these humiliating assaults. The authorities, who
consist of the police department, the hospital, and social workers, should work in unity so that they can be
efficient and the problems are easier to solve. These authorities must have a good name and should be
trusted by the people especially the DOVSU unit, as it will encourage them to inform the authorities in an
emergency. If such a crime occurs, the person who committed the violence should be immediately
arrested by the authorities, until the truth is being revealed in the court. After the offender has been
arrested it is recommended that, the victim, which is usually the offender's wife or girlfriend, should be
rescued to a safe place, which the offender doesn't know about and where she could be medically treated
if hurt. On the other side, the offender, who is generally in police custody in remand, should also be given
medical care if required as the case is being investigated. This is because despite the fact that it is the job
of the police department to investigate the case from all angles, putting the wrong person behind bars
through a wrong decision can ruin somebody's life as some males victims are found out to be victors at
the end.
It is further recommended that the police investigate deeply, questioning the offender, the victim and
the neighbors separately. In the modern world, the police cannot be bias anymore like in the past, because
the women due to personal interest can lie so as to imprison their spouse.
Another remedial tool is for there to be a conscious education, sensitization and campaign by the ministry
of women and children affairs about the details of the domestic violence bill. The study showed that a
greater number of women are not aware of the bill let alone know what it is all about. This should be done
alongside offering of training for women especially those in petty trading to add skills development in

soap making, batik and granting of small start up capitals through loans. This will make women
productive and subsequently go miles to reduce subordination of women which leads to abuse.
The problem of failure to report abusive cases can be dealt with in a more skilful manner. This is
because some victims are scared to take any actions against their spouses, because they think that
someday their spouse will be free from the jail and would definitely take revenge or their marriages will
break up. For these kinds of situations, it is recommended that the DOVVSU unit of the police force there
should offer a free service of a `Hotline'. These `Hotlines' can help the helpless.
The victims can talk to qualified people working in the `Hotlines', who can advise them and show
them the right direction. The service delivery agents should adequately trained to handle the offender as
well, and must be multi-lingua looking at the language dynamics of our country. It is also possible, that a
straight forward person under the influence of alcohol or drugs commits a crime. These call centers
should be always backed up by the authorities for emergency.
As a recommendation to forestall future occurrence, educating the younger generation about domestic
violence will be a right approach. The next generation should be educated in what is accepted. Campaigns
on talking to a child about violence through the ministry of educations curricular from the basic level will
set the pace for this achievement.
Children must be taught to know how to avoid perpetrators like rapist as well as the appropriate and
civic ways of expressing ones anger and frustration - and what is out of bounds. Societal values like what
it means to be fair, share and treat others with respect should be incorporated into the educational frame
that is particularly geared towards addressing domestic violence. The children should be instructed that if
they are assaulted by an adult, they should firstly inform their family and if the victim doesn't has a
family, the authorities should be informed. The law must be allowed to work. It is recommended that
police officials and law interpreters will be strengthened; the alternative dispute and arbitration
committees should be well resourced. When this is done it will not give other people to perpetrate heinous

crimes against women and children. Government, the Ghana police service and religious should make
sure that the interference of the authorities, the economic status of most of the people and cultural history
which play a huge role in aggravating domestic violence would be monitored and revisited Domestic
violence. The whole society needs to work together to reduce it to a minimum.
LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
The research was limited by respondents' complain of the sophisticated nature of the questionnaires
vis-a-vis the short period of time given to fill them. As a result of this, some potential respondents
adopted nonchalant attitudes towards filling them. Secondly, some women, especially in those with
extremely low knowledge about research were hostile. However, this challenge was overcome through
appeals by the researcher.
Another limitation was the fact that men/women abused ever, were reluctant to cooperate due to
(i) Suspicion that disclosing information may lead to break-up of their relationships or will cause
escalating consequences for their marriages/relationships
(ii) Apathy towards the Police handling the issues without biases when reported in addition to the
lack of faith in national women institutions extending gesture to assist them.
In view of the implication of these problems in the research, consistent attempts were made to mitigate
their potentially negative impact on the quality of this study.
The myriad of problems that is likely to be encountered during the fieldwork emanating from
suspicion, lack of confidence in government, law institution and the nonchalant attitudes to be displayed
by some women will be minimized and, in most cases resolved, through persuasion and ensuring the
highest level of confidentiality and anonymity. On the whole, there is both hope and confidence that this
effort will succeed in eliminating, or at least minimizing, the potentially negative consequences of the
problems on the study.

5.4 CONCLUSION
Despite the fact that various efforts are being made by government through the passage of the domestic
violence bill, the establishment of the DOVVSU unit of the Ghana police service as well as efforts by
churches and Non-governmental organizations, domestic violence continues to be a battling challenge.
It is therefore imperative for concerted efforts by all stakeholders to come on board as the battle
against domestic violence is a broader more interwoven one requiring the efforts of all. Again more
research has to be committed to the area to detail the long term effect domestic abuses are having on our
precious women. It is expected that such research will begin to look at the masculine dimension of the
phenomenon

REFERENCES
1
UNICEF (2000): “Domestic Violence against Women and Girls”, Innocenti Digest Vol 1 no. 7 as
accessed @www.unicef.irc.org/publications/pdf/digest.
2
DEVAW(1993) Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women. G.A. Res. 48/104, 48
U.N. GAOR, Supp. (No. 49) at 217, U.N. Doc. A/48/49.

3
UNICEF (1999). A study by Domestic Violence Research Centre, Japan Violence against Women,”
WHO, FRH/WHD/97.8, “Women in Transition,” Regional Monitoring Report,
4
Straus A & Carbon J (1990): Basis of Qualitative Research; Grounded theory procedures and
Techniques, London: sage.
5
Oyenkami, F. (1997): Men, Women and Violence, A Collection of papers from CODERSIA Gender
Institute. Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa.
6
Amnesty International (1995) “Violence Against Women in Ghana”: Shelter not Cemeteries as
accessed @ www.amnesty.ca/amnestynews/uploads/ghana.
8
Kishor and Johnson (2004) . Profiling Domestic Violence: A Multi-country Study Calverton,
Maryland: ORC, Macro. Mumbai
9
Domestic Violence Act (2007) as accessed @ URL on the 10th of August, 2013; Ghana.
10
Smith, T. W., (2000)1999 Gun Policy Survey of the National Opinion Research Center: Research
Findings. Chicago: University of Chicago
11
Learner M.J & Matthews G.(2004): Reactions to suffering of others under conditions of indirect
responsibility. Journal of personality and social psychology revised,5(3), 319-325.
12
Ghana‟s Combined Third, Fourth and Fifth Periodic Country Reports, Submitted Under Article 18
of CEDAW, U.N. Doc. CEDAW/C/GHA/3-5, at 13 (2005) [hereinafter Ghana‟s Combined CEDAW

Report]; Ghana‟s Initial and Second Periodic Country Reports, Submitted Under Article 18 of CEDAW,
U.N. Doc. CEDAW/C/GHA/1-2, at 56 (1991);
13
Gender Centre (2002): A Report on Domestic Violence in Ghana accessed @ URL on the 23rd of
July,2013.
14
Coker-Appiah & Kathy Cusack, violence against women and children in Ghana: Report of a national
study on violence 65 (2006).

15
African [Banjul] Charter on Human and Peoples‟ Rights, adopted June 27, 1981, OAU Doc.
CAB/LEG/67/3 rev. 5, 21 I.L.M. 58 (Oct. 21, 1986), available at http://www.africa-union.org/
GHANA CONST. ch. V, art. 12.

LISTS OF TABLES
Table [1]: Examples of Violence against Women throughout the Life Cycle
PHASE TYPE OF VIOLENCE
Pre-birth
Sex-selective abortion; effects of battering during pregnancy on birth
Outcomes
Infancy
Female infanticide; physical, sexual and psychological abuse
Girlhood
Child marriage; female genital mutilation; physical, sexual and

psychological abuse; incest; child prostitution and pornography
Adolescence and
Adulthood Dating and courtship violence (e.g. acid throwing and date rape)
economically coerced sex (e.g. school girls having sex with “sugar daddies”
in return for school fees); incest; sexual abuse in the workplace; rape; sexual
harassment; forced prostitution and pornography; trafficking in women;
partner violence; marital rape; dowry abuse and murders; partner homicide;
psychological abuse; abuse of women with disabilities; forced pregnancy
Elderly
Forced “suicide” or homicide of widows for economic reasons; sexual,

physical and psychological abuse.
Source: “Violence against Women”, WHO. FRH/WHD/1997

Table [2]: Level of education
EDUCATION LEVEL FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE
SSS 14 23.3
Vocational/Technical 20 33.3
Post Secondary Diploma 16 26.6
Bachelor Degree 10 16.6
60 100
Source: Authors field survey 2012

Table [3]: The cooking determining who does in the house
RESPONSE FREQUENCY PERCENTAGE
Wife 50 83.3
Husband 10 16.7
Total 60 100

Table [4]: Determining whether partners have ever forced the other to anything against his/her
will
YES 48 80.0
NO 12 20.0
TOTAL 60 100
Table [5]: Determining whether a partner have ever threatened to or actually used knife or
other weapon to harm the other or anyone else

YES 6 10.0
NO 54 90.0
TOTAL 60 100
Table [6] Determining whether a partner have ever had a drinking problem
YES 18 30.0
NO 42 70.0
TOTAL 60 100

LISTS OF FIGURES
Fig [1]: Sex of respondents
Fig [2]: Age range of respondents

Fig [3]: Marital status of respondents

Fig [4 ]: Occupation of respondents
Fig [5]: Years respondent has stayed with partner

Fig [6]: Determining whether respondents seek permission from their partner to travel to other
places
Fig [7]: Determining who decides to have sex

Fig [8]: Major cause/ element of conflict ending in abuse
Fig [9]: Major form of domestic violence


Fig [9]: Determining whether respondents are sometimes afraid of their partner when he or she
get angry

KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FACULTY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL WORK
QUESTIONNAIRE
The purpose of this research is to examine the effect of domestic violence abuse has on women. The
researcher will be very grateful if you could spend some time in providing the information required for
the study. Any responses given will be used purely for academic purposes and anonymity of the
responses is assured.
SECTION A
SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS
1. Sex i. Male ( ) ii. Female ( )
2. Age i. Under 20 ( ) ii. 21 - 30 ( ) iii. 31 - 40 ( ) IV. 4- 50 ( ) v. 51 -
60 ( ) VI. Above 60 ( )
3. Marital /Relationship Status
i. Informal consensual union ( ) ii. Married ( ) iii. Divorced ( )
iv. Widowed ( ) v. In a relationship ( )
4. What is your highest level of education
i. Primary school ( ) ii. Middle school ( ) iii. JSS / JHS ( ) IV. SSS ( )
vi. Vocational / Technical / Commercial ( ) VI. Post Secondary Diploma / Certificate ( ) VI.
Bachelor Degree or post graduate ( ) vii. No formal education ( )
5. What ethnic group do you belong to
…………………………………………………………………………………
6. What is your occupation?
i. Trader ( ) ii. Lecturer ( ) iii. Student ( ) iv. Secretary ( ).

ii. Other (please specify)
…………………………………………………………………………………………….
7. How long have you lived with your partner/wife
i. Less than six months ( )
ii One year ( )
iii. Between 1- 2 years ( )
iv. 3 – 5 years
v. More than 5 years
SECTION B: DECISION MAKING AS A SOURCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ABUSE
8 How are/were decisions made in your relationship? Give me an example.
……………………………………………………………………………………….
9. What happens when you don‟t agree with a decision your partner makes? Give me an example.
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
10. Do you need your partner (or the other party‟s) permission to leave the house and travel to the
market, to visit others, to work, etc.?
i. Yes ( ) No ( )
11. Who does the cooking and cleaning in your household/home if living with partner?
i. Wife ( )
ii. Husband ( )
II. House help ( )
12. Who decides when to have sex if any?
i. My lady/wife ( )
ii. My guy/husband ( )

iii. Mutually agreed ( )
SECTION C: CONFLICT RESOLUTION APPROACHES AND MECHANISM
13. Could you tell me about your worst disagreement/fight/conflict/dispute?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………..
14. What things do you disagree/fight/have a conflict or dispute about often?
i. sex ( ) ii. Money ( ) iii. Politics ( ) IV. Trivial issues ( ) Give examples
……………..........................................................................................................................
.......................................................................................................................................
15. Describe an occasion when you or your partner was angry and what happened.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
16. How do you resolve conflict and disagreements between you and your partner?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……...................................................................................................................................................
17. Have you/ partner ever reported you to the police for any domestic violence abuse
……………………………………………………………………………………………
Yes ( ) ii. No ( )
18. What happened during and after the report to the police?
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
SECTION D: FORMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ABUSE
19. Has there ever been any

i. shoving or pushing ( ) ii Choking ( ) iii. Biting ( ) IV. Hitting ( )
vi. Kicking ( )
20. Have either of you ever prevented the other from leaving a room or situation
i. Yes ( ) ii. No ( )
21. Have either of you ever forced the other to do anything against her/his will (for instance, sexual
acts)?
Yes ( ) No ( )
22. Have either of you ever threatened to or actually used a knife or other weapon to harm the other
or anyone else?
i. Yes ( ) ii. No ( )
23. Have either of you had a drinking or drug problem?
Yes ( ) No ( )
24. Are you ever afraid of your partner/the other party when he/she gets angry?
Yes ( ) No ( )
SECTION E: ADDRESSING DOMESTIC VIOLENT ABUSE
25. Have you heard of the domestic violence bill?
Yes ( ) No ( )
26. What do you want as an outcome of the domestic violent bill?
…………………………………………………………………………………
27. Are the two of you mutually emotionally hurtful to one another, trading insults, name-calling, and
put-downs and emotional or sexual withholding?
Yes ( ) No ( )
28. Do you consider your partner of being capable of seriously injuring or killing you?
Yes ( ) No ( )

29. Do you consider your partner‟s needs as primary and necessary for your survival?
Yes ( ) No ( )
30. If yes
why ………………………………………………………………………………………………..
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Domestic Violence and Its Effect on Women

Article in SSRN Electronic Journal · January 2013

Seth Christopher Yaw Appiah

Youth health View project

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

Domestic Violence and its Effect on Women

Appiah Seth Christopher Yaw1,Abubakari Mohammed2

Corresponding author> Appiah Seth Christopher:sychrist2007@gmail.com.

Corresponding Author: First Author 1

Electronic copy available at: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2364190

cases due to fear of collapse of marriage or intimate relationships .

ISSN: 2028-9324 Vol. X No. X, Month 20XX 2

Electronic copy available at: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2364190

KEYWORDS: Domestic Violence, Relationships, Partner, Socio-cultural, Abuse

descriptive power of the term.

ISSN: XXXX-XXXX Vol. X No. X, Month 20XX 3

Electronic copy available at: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2364190

races, relationships and to people of all ages.

to the public domain (Oyenkami, 1997)[5].

ISSN: 2028-9324 Vol. X No. X, Month 20XX 4

(Amnesty International 1995)[6].

against women in most cases as compared to those against males

(DOVVSU) to handle domestic violence cases in the country.

1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT

ISSN: XXXX-XXXX Vol. X No. X, Month 20XX 5

are perceived to challenge the dominant rural ideology.

ISSN: 2028-9324 Vol. X No. X, Month 20XX 6

proceedings are pending.

effects of domestic violence by imposing conditions upon respondents, including: requirements to

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proud of to have been married or at least have a boy friend.

2. Are domestic violence cases limited only to woman than to men?

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

abuse. Specifically the study seeks to:

Oforikrom –Anloga communities

partners when they are domestically abused.

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The research is underpinned by the following assumptions

comparable to the males

because of economic dependence on their male partners.

1.5 JUSTIFICATION AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

violence free society.

repercussion of their actions on the life of their partners.

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1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

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3.1 Research Setting

3.2 Research Population and Sample Size

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3.3 Sampling Procedure

be relevant to the study.

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3.3 Research Design and Justification

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relationships of women at the Ayigya- KNUST -Ayeduase communities.

research problem-effects of domestic violence abuse on women.

definition of truth and knowledge in research.

quantifiable and behavioral statistics.

3.4 Types of Data

newsletters, magazines, the internet and published and unpublished materials.

outcomes and experiences on female domestic violence were logically explained.

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