| dc.description.abstract | There is a growing recognition of the prevalence of domestic violence in Uganda, which is a
social vice that has far reaching consequences in families and the entire society. The
exposure of children and adults to violence in their families at homesteads affects their
socialization. The research sought to investigate the causes of domestic violence and its
effects on psychological wellbeing of family members in the Sub-county of Bumasifwa
Sironko District.
The Objective of the study was to find out and analyze the prevalence, causes and effect of
domestic violence on the psychological wellbeing of family members in the Sub-county of
Bumasifwa, Sironko District.
The research employed the descriptive survey design, a sample of 62 from married or
cohabiting adults, 18 children, 6 teachers, 15 community and local leaders, local government
leaders and 3 police officers who were selected through purposive and random sampling
techniques. The data for this research was collected from primary and secondary sources.
Secondary data was collected from available literature such as books, journals; periodical
reports while primary data was collected using questionnaires, focus discussion groups,
interview schedules and observation method. Data was analyzed through descriptive statistics
and presented in tables and graphs.
Majority of the respondents identified poverty with the society as a cause of domestic
violence together with alcoholism by men, adultery and unfaithfulness within the family,
family negligence and oppression by men. The battery of women and children rated high,
while exposure of violence scenes before children was the least form of domestic violence
experienced. All forms of domestic violence were seen to have a purpose, to harm, gain and
maintain control over the victim.
The effect of domestic violence is devastating and long lasting on the victims. Men, women,
and children living in an abusive environment find themselves in situations that may lead to
disillusionment and self-destruction. In this research, the effects of domestic violence
identified were loss of family development/investment, divorce and polygamy and family
negligence by men, poor performance and drop out by children from school, also indiscipline
by young teenagers was reported to be on the increase because of domestic violence in
families
Respondents recommended domestic violence preventative mechanism to include
empowerment of communities while using traditional preventative mechanisms, sensitization
of communities on laws/by-laws of domestic violence, regulation of time of sale and
consumption of alcohol in the communities, and introduction of community/family
psychosocial structures.
There is no easy solution to the problems of domestic violence as its elimination requires
changes in the very nature of society. That not withstanding, the researcher recommends
empowerment of the community with basic knowledge of domestic violence; enforcement or
implementation of existing legislation on domestic violence by the relevant authorities; the
judiciary, law enforcement agencies among others in the communities; strengthening the
capacity of families to care for and protect children against violence through improved
relations in the home, have functional community child protection structures and systems as
well as having comprehensive government policy on violence against children. | en_US |
