Domestic violence survivors and access to justice in Karamoja.

Abstract

Domestic Violence Survivors Access to Justice Needs a multi-pronged approach as the law is just one of the facilitating factors. This study therefore examined the situation of Domestic Violence Survivors and the concepts of Access to Justice in Karamoja with a case study of Rupa Sub-County, Moroto District. It examined these in line with the themes of nature/causes of domestic violence, challenges faced by Domestic Violence Survivors in accessing justice, knowledge and usage of legal frameworks available and types of justice being accessed by communities. The study employed a mix research method basing knowledge claims on pragmatic grounds and strategies of inquiry that involve collecting data either simultaneously or sequentially to best understand research problems. A lottery simple random sampling technique was used to draw up the area of study and come up with 373 final study respondents and 11 district officials and local leaders. A standard KI guide/questions was developed and SPSS version 16 used to analyze the data. More women were more likely to suffer from Physical, Psychological and Economic domestic violence compared to their male counterparts. This underpins the fact that men in these communities are more of perpetrators than victims of Domestic Violence. Fighting, Quarrelling, Poverty, Misunderstanding, Alcoholism, Jealousy, Rumours, Conflicts, Abuse of human rights, theft, Disunity, Children disrespecting parents/elders, Grabbing, Polygamy, Adultery, Peer Pressure, Rape, Ignorance were the main causes of Domestic Violence at community and family levels. The informal justice resolution systems like Local Council and Kraal leaders were the commonly mentioned sources for reporting incidences of Domestic Violence with most respondents reporting that it’s helpful, effective and efficient. Poverty, Ignorance, Distance, Time taken for resolution and Procedural hurdles are the common factors hindering community members from accessing justice. Conclusively; Community members are aware of the law, that Domestic Violence is criminal and a human rights violation and are trying their best to fight Domestic Violence through the use of the justice systems available.