PEACEFUL CONFLICT RESOLUTION APPROACHES AS A PANACEA FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

BABCOCK UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF POST GRADUATE STUDIES

ILISAN-REMO, OGUN STATE

NIGERIA.

PEACEFUL CONFLICT RESOLUTION APPROACHES AS A PANACEA FOR

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

A RESEARCH PAPER SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE COURSE: GEGS 901-PERSONAL AND FAMILY WHOLENESS

BY

CHARLES ALFRED (PG/10/0351)

OLUGASA OLUBUKOLA. A. (PG/10/0469)

ONWODI  GREG. O. (PG/10/0205)

TO

PHILEMON O. AMANZE

JUNE 2011.

PEACEFUL CONFLICT RESOLUTION APPROACHES AS A PANACEA FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Abstract

This study confirmed that peaceful conflict resolution approaches could be used to solve/combat domestic violence issues in various households. The target population was all the 76 pastor graduate students of the Adventist University of Africa (AUA) studying in Babcock University, Nigeria and all the 20 female post-graduate students of the 2011 summer programme of Babcock University. A simple size of 50 respondents, 30 AUA students and all the 20 female 2011 summer post-graduate students from the University was selected for the study; and the simple size is more than 30 per cent of the entire targeted population. Descriptive survey was the research design used for the study. Questionnaire was the only instrument of data collection because all the respondents were lettered people and it is also in-line with the research design of the study. The data from the field was tabulated, analyzed and explained. It was discovered that, indeed, peaceful conflict resolution approaches like negotiation, mediation/reconciliation, and the peace processes like peace building could be used to combat/resolve domestic violence in various households. However, the study also revealed that the legal approach, which is also one of the major approaches of peaceful conflict resolution, is not an acceptable means of resolving domestic violence issues to almost all the respondents. Only four percent of the women indicated that they have used the legal approach. This means that, the legal approach is not a method that is strongly favoured in resolving domestic violence issues in this part of the world. Finally, the study also revealed that besides violence against children, women or wives and husbands in households, elders’ like grandparents, etc abuse is also a common type of domestic violence like child abuse in homes. 

  

Table of Contents

Introduction...........................................................................................................................2

Domestic violence..................................................................................................................3

Conflict resolution approaches..............................................................................................7

The methodology adopted for the study...............................................................................8

The findings of the study.......................................................................................................9

The discussion of the data....................................................................................................10

Conclusion and recommendations........................................................................................11

Bibliography.........................................................................................................................12

Appendix (Questionnaire).....................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION

The main purpose of this study is to find out whether peaceful conflict resolution approaches could be used to solve/cure domestic violence in our households. The study is very important because domestic violence in our nation is a critical issue that occurs every day[1]. Domestic violence, however, is not reserve for woman alone, the men, the aged and the children are also now increasingly becoming constant victims of domestic violence of all types like rape, starvation, neglect or abandonment, harmful cultural practices like widows’/ widowers’ rites, elders’ abuse like witchcraft allegation, wife battering, verbal insults, forced marriages and denial of access to education[2]. According to the U.S. Office on Violence Against Women (VAW), domestic violence in the USA is the leading cause of injury to women between the ages 15 and 44, it cause more injury to women than, car accidents and mugging/robbery of all types[3]. The story from Ghana like most African countries is not different, in February 2007; the Parliament of Ghana was forced to pass the Domestic Violence Bill into law because of the rampant nature of domestic violence in households[4]

The main target population of this study was all the Adventist University of Africa (AUA) graduate pastor-students studying in Babcock University and all the female 2011 summer post-graduate students in Babcock University. This group of graduate students were selected for the study because they are the groups of students with the highest number of married ones among them. In fact most of them have been married for ages; in addition, virtually all the AUA students are field pastors in different parts of the West African sub-region and most of the female respondents are also experienced, widely-travelled, learned mothers from different parts of the country (Nigeria), so domestic violence is not a new phenomenon to them.

This study is divided into three main sections. The first section x-ray literature on domestic violence and peaceful conflict resolution approaches. The second section of the study, deals with the methodology used for the study, while the last section of the study covers, the findings and the conclusion of the study. 

Domestic Violence

Because aggressive behaviour is innate in every human-being; violent behaviour cannot be ruled out in any human institution[5]. Domestic violence in homes is as old as man, according to an expert[6]:

Domestic violence is not a new epidemic—it spans history and cultures. The Common Law of England permitted a man to beat his wife, provided the diameter of the stick so used was not wider than the diameter of his thumb, hence, the term "Rule of Thumb."[7]

The 1641 Body of Liberties of the Massachusetts Bay Colonists, one of the first legal documents in North America also condemned violence by spouse[8]. The modern attention to domestic violence, however, was popularised by the Women Movement of the 1920s, particularly the feminists and women rights groups.

Domestic violence is also called: domestic abuse, spousal abuse, family violence (which include, child abuse, elder abuse, and other violent acts between family members); and intimate partner violence (IPV) [because not all partners are legally married].

The U.S. office on Violence Against Women (VAW), define domestic violence as:

a "pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another intimate partner". The definition adds that domestic violence "can happen to anyone regardless of race, age, sexual orientation, religion, or gender", and that it can take many forms, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional, economic, and psychological abuse[9].

Domestic violence is also refers to as:

  the victimization of a person with whom the abuser has or has had an intimate, romantic, or spousal relationship. Domestic violence encompasses violence against both men and women and includes violence in gay and lesbian relationships[10]

The main purpose of all forms of domestic violence is to gain and maintain control over the victim, domestic violence has multi-effects on the society, domestic violence affects the children, the men, the women and others psychologically, economically and socially[11].

The following are some forms of domestic violence related to economic abuse:

• Rigidly controlling your finances.
• Withholding money or credit cards.
• Making you account for every penny you spend.
• Withholding basic necessities (food, clothes, medications, shelter)
• Restricting you to an allowance.
• Preventing you from working or choosing your own career.
• Sabotaging your job (making you miss work, calling constantly)
• Stealing from you or taking your money[12].

Despite what many people believe, domestic violence and abuse is not due to the abuser’s loss of control over his or her behavior[13]. In fact, abusive behavior and violence is a deliberate choice made by the abuser in order to control the victim. Dominance, humiliation, isolation, threats, intimidation and denial and blame are some of the tactics the abusers (male or female) normally use[14]. 

The cycle of violence in domestic abuse[15]

Culled from: Smith and Segal (2011)

• Abuse – the abusive partner utilizes aggressive, belittling, or violent behavior. The abuse is a power play designed to show you "who is the boss or in control."
• Guilt – After abusing you, your partner feels guilt, but not over what he/she have done. He/she is more worried about the possibility of being caught and facing consequences for his abusive behavior.
•  Excuses – the abuser justifies what he or she has done. The person may come up with a string of excuses or blame you for the abusive behavior—anything to avoid taking responsibility.
•  “Normal" behavior — the abuser does everything he can to regain control and keep the victim in the relationship. He/she may act as if nothing has happened, or he/she may become lovely. This peaceful honeymoon phase may give the victim hope that the abuser has really changed for good.
• Fantasy and planning – Your abuser begins to fantasize about abusing you again. He/she spends a lot of time thinking about what you have done wrong and how he/she will make you pay. Then he/she makes a plan for turning the fantasy of abuse into reality.
• Set-up – the abuser sets you up and puts his/her plan in motion, creating a situation where he/she can justify abusing you all the time without any guilt.
  

In the United State of America, domestic violence exacts so much of costs. Annual economic costs (in 2003 alone) was estimated to be $8.3 billion, including $6.2 billion for physical assault, $461 million for stalking, $460 million for rape, and $1.2 billion for lives lost[16]. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that victims of severe domestic violence annually miss 8 million days of paid work—the equivalent of 32,000 full-time jobs, and approximately 5.6 million days of household productivity[17].

In Africa, domestic violence is also very rampant; the South African Government recently passed a law to combat the high rate of violence in homes[18]. Like South Africa, domestic violence of all types—physical [like: wife battering], sexual [rape], emotional [neglect], verbal [insults], economic [starving], and cultural [widowhood rites] —are very common in Nigeria[19]:

In Lagos State, 64.4 percent of the 45 interviewed women in work places said they had been beaten by a partner, boyfriend or husband. 56.2 percent of 48 interviewed market women had experienced the same type of violence[20]

The truth is that domestic violence is under-reported in Africa because of cultural and economic reasons. The Amnesty International also reported that:

 On a daily basis, Nigerian women are beaten, raped and even murdered by members of their family for supposed transgressions, which can range from not having meals ready on time to visiting family members without their husband's permission. Tragically, husbands, partners and fathers are responsible for most of the violence against women[21]

Domestic violence cut across all levels of the society, the wealthy, the middle class and the poor are all guilty of the crime, experts have recommended different strategies to manage and combat domestic violence, counseling, medical, Duluth, education[22] and conflict resolution approaches are some of the methods that could be used to combat or manage domestic violence.

Conflict resolution approaches

Recently, the use of conflict resolution approaches to settle conflicts worldwide has been increasing, it is becoming also more sophisticated and it is succeeding very often[23].

Conflict resolution refers to efforts:

…To increase cooperation among parties to a conflict and deepen their relationship by addressing the conditions that led to the dispute, fostering positive attitudes and allaying mistrust through reconciliation initiatives, and building or strengthening the institutions and processes through which the parties interact. Conflict resolution can be used to reduce the chances of violence or to consolidate the cassation of a violent conflict to prevent re-escalation[24].

While to another author[25] conflict resolution “applies to all the collective efforts and approaches designed to lessen the danger of war, to mitigate inter-group strife, to expand the possibility of amity and peace, and the like.’’

Fundamentally, there are two main approaches to conflict resolution and these approaches are one, the peaceful negotiations or arbitration approach and two, the use of force approach[26]. The later (i.e. the use of force approach) includes methods like war, genocide, forced mass-population transfer, partition and secessions. While the former uses methods like mediation/reconciliation, negotiation, diplomacy and the peace processes (like peacemaking, keeping, enforcement and building). However, an expert[27] also added litigation as a peaceful approach to conflict resolution.

Peaceful conflict resolution, as against to conflict management or conflict settlement, is approaching conflict in a problem-solving, constructive and non-violent ways that recognizes the values of all the parties in a conflict’s relationships, interests and needs[28].

The Methodology Adopted for the Study

The focus of this study was to find out whether peaceful conflict resolution approaches could be use to solve domestic violence in households. The target population of the study was all the 76 Adventist University of Africa (AUA) graduate pastor-students and all the 20 female post graduate students of 2011 summer programme in Babcock University. A simple size of 50 respondents, 30 AUA students and 20 post graduate female students from the university was selected for the study. These sets of respondents were selected for the study because they are all mostly married men that are also pastors from various countries of the West African sub-region (including Cameroun) and the female target respondents are all experienced, learned women from various parts of the country, therefore, they are more familiar with domestic life activities across all strata of the society. The study adopted descriptive survey research design.

 Descriptive Survey research involves the collections of data to answer questions concerning the immediate status of the subject matter under focus or the hypothesis[29]. This design is chosen because it gathers information by specifically asking participants about their experiences, attitudes, or knowledge. In addition, samples drawn and studied with this method could be used in explaining hypotheses and inferring conclusions about the whole population. Since the research design is a descriptive survey, questionnaire was use as the only major instrument of data collection because all the respondents are lettered enough to fill questionnaire.

The Findings of the Study

The following were the responses from the first set of the targeted population used for the study. The 30 AUA pastor-graduate students used for the study responded positively. All of them filled their questionnaire accordingly and returned them.

Table 1: Showing the responses of the 30 AUA pastor-students used for the study:

Nos	Questions	Answers	Responses in numbers
1	Which of these types of domestic violence is common in your locality?	(a)    Spousal abuse (b)   Childs (c)    Elders (d)   All of the above	12 10 6 2
2	Do you agree with the claim that domestic violence is a common act in most homes world wide	(a)    Strongly agree (b)   Agree (c)    Disagree (d)   Strongly disagree (e)    Don’t know	20 8 2 Nil Nil
3	Which of these peaceful conflict revolution approaches would you used to solve domestic violence?	(a)    Mediation/reconciliation (b)   Negotiation (c)    Legal (d)   Diplomacy (e)    Peace building	21 6 Nil 1 2
4	Have you used any of these approaches to solve any family problem?	(a)    Yes (b)   No	29 1
5	Did the approach (es) used work for you or for the people involved?	(a)    Yes (b)   No	29 1

Source: Field work, 2011.

Table 2: Data from the 20 female students used for the study are as follows:

No	Questions	Answers	Responses in percentages (%)
1	Which of these types of domestic violence is common in your locality?	(e)    Spousal abuse (f)    Childs (g)   Elders (h)   All of the above	60% 20% 12% 8%
2	Do you agree with the claim that domestic violence is a common act in most homes world wide	(f)    Strongly agree (g)   Agree (h)   Disagree (i)     Strongly disagree (j)     Don’t know	80% 10% 2% 7% 1%
3	Which of these peaceful conflict revolution approaches would you used to solve domestic violence?	(f)    Mediation/reconciliation (g)   Negotiation (h)   Legal (i)     Diplomacy (j)     Peace building	57% 33% 4% none 6%
4	Have you used any of these approaches to solve any family problem?	(c)    Yes (d)   No	91% 9%
5	Did the approach (es) you used work for you or for the people involved?	(c)    Yes (d)   No	87% 13%

 Source: survey result, 2011.

The Discussion of the Data

The date in the first parts of the tables 1 and 2 shows that, spousal (wife or husband) and child/children abuses are the most rampant type of domestic violence; 22 out of the 30 male respondents and 80% of the females agreed that spousal and child abuses are the most common types of domestic violence. This finding supported the afrol News website view quoted above that posits that domestic violence especially against women is a common issue in most households in Nigeria [30]. Secondly, a very high number (90% of the females and 28 out of the 30 males) of the respondents indicated that indeed, domestic violence is actually a common act globally; this corroborated the Amnesty International opinion[31] and the Data from the United States of America[32]. Thirdly, the respondents also indicated that they would prefer to use more of mediation/reconciliation and negotiation peaceful conflict resolution approaches to solve domestic violence cases in their homes and in others; only 4 percent of the females indicated that they would use the legal approach while none of the males signified interest for the legal approach. Fourthly, virtually all the both sets of respondents agreed that they have used one or more of the approaches to resolve domestic violence cases. Finally, almost all the respondents (29 out of the 30 males and 87 percent of the females) agreed that, the peaceful conflict resolution approaches they have used actually help them to successfully combat/resolve domestic violence, this finding is in line with the claim that peaceful conflict resolution approaches are really helping to resolve various kinds of conflicts worldwide[33].  

Conclusion and Recommendations

It is clear from the above that, peaceful conflict resolution approaches could be certainly used for solving domestic violence problems, because almost all the respondents used for the study who are from diverse environments indicated that indeed, domestic violence is a common problem and they also further confirmed that they have also used some of the peaceful conflict resolution approaches to solve domestic violence problems successfully. However, we wish to recommend that elders’ like grandparents, abuse, which is a type of domestic violence, needs further study, because we believe that this type of domestic violence, though rampant in Africa, has not been given the necessary attention. From the study it is clear that, child abuse is still a very common type of domestic violence despite the campaigns against it from the government and the NGOs. We therefore recommend that, the religious organizations should take up this issue regularly in their sermons.

Finally, virtually all the respondents, except four percent of the women, rejected the legal peaceful conflict resolution approach in resolving domestic violence problems. This shows that the legal peaceful conflict resolution approach with its sophisticated machinery and accessibility is not a very acceptable method in resolving or combating domestic violence matters in this part of the world. 

                                                       Bibliography

Ademola, S. F. (2010). “Theories of Social Conflict’’ in Best, G. S. (Ed),   

          Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies in West Africa: A Reader. Ibadan:  

         Spectrum Books Ltd.

Alemika, E.E.O. (2004). “Prevalence, Sources and Resolution of conflict in Nigeria’’  in Sanda and Briggs (Ed), Issues of peace and Security: Essays in Honour of Major-General Charkes B. Ndiomu. Plateau State: National Institute Press.

Barkley, B. L.  (2011). Domestic Violence.    

        http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/805546-overview , retrieved, June 19^th,   

       2011. 

Best, G. S. (2010). “Methods of Conflict Resolution and Transformation’’ in Best, G. S. (Ed), Introduction to Peace and Conflict Studies in West Africa: A Reader. Ibadan: Spectrum Books Ltd.

Dokun Oyeshola, (2005). Conflict and Context of Conflict Resolution. Nigeria: Obafemi Awolowo University, Press Ltd, Ile-Ife.

Domestic violence, Wikipedia, www.

        http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_violence , retrieved, June 19^th,   

       2011. 

 Etekpe Ambily (2010). “Alternative Strategy in Conflict Resolution and Peace-building in the Niger Delta: a Case Study of Traditional Councils in Bayelsa State’’ in Albert & Is-haq, (Ed), Dynamics of Peace Processes .University of llorin: Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies.

Half of Nigerian Women Experience Domestic Violence. afrol news, 17 /06/11. http://nigeriantimes.blogspot.com/2005/06/violence-against-women-in-nigeria.html, retrieved, June 19^th, 2011.

Ideh, O.M, (2004). “Conflict and strategy of conflict Resolution: a Theoritical Framework for Africa’’, in Sanda and Briggs (Ed), Issues of peace and Security: Essays in Honour of Major-General Charkes B. Ndiomu. Plateau State: National Institute Press.

Joshua, S. G and Pevehouse, C.J. (2010). International Relation. New York: Pearson.

Kunhiyop, S. W (2008). African Christian Ethics. Nairobi, Kenya: Hoppo Books.

Melinda Smith and Jeanne Segal (2011). Domestic Violence and Abuse.    http://www.helpguide.org/mental/domestic_violence_abuse_types_signs_causes_effects.htm

  Scherer, et al (1975). Human Aggression and Conflict: Interdisciplinary Perspectives. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc.

South Africa targets domestic violence, BBC news Wednesday, 15 December,         

         1999, 13:17 GMT. www. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/566160.stm;  

           retrieved, June 19^th, 2011. 

Appendix:

A QUESTIONNAIRE

Dear respondent,

The topic of this study is: Peaceful Conflict Resolution Approaches as the Panacea for Domestic Violence.

The aim of this questionnaire is to find out whether peaceful conflict resolution approaches can be used to solve domestic violence in our homes. Please be assured that all your responses will be treated confidentially and they will only be used for this study.

Instructions: Please tick/fill as appropriate:

Questions-

1)        Domestic violence involves spousal abuse, child abuse, and elder’s abuse, in the home. Which of these types of abuse mentioned above, do you think is more common in homes in your locality?

a)       Spousal abuse [  ]

b)       Child abuse    [  ]

c)       Elder’s abuse  [  ]

d)       All of the above [  ]

2)       Do you agree with the claim that domestic violence is a common act in most homes world-wide?

a)       Strongly agree  [  ]

b)       Agree  [   ]

c)       Disagree [  ]

d)       Strongly disagree [  ]

e)       Don’t know [  ]

3)       Which of the under-mentioned approaches of peaceful conflict resolution would you use to solve domestic violence?

a)       Mediation/ reconciliation  [  ]

b)       Negotiation  [  ]

c)       Legal [  ]

d)       Diplomacy [  ]

e)       Peace processes like peace-building  [  ]

4)       Have you used any of these approaches to solve any family problem?

a)       Yes  [  ]

b)       No  [  ]

5)       Did the approach(es) used work for you or for the people involved?

a)       Yes  [  ]

b)       No  [  ]

....................................................................................................................

Thanks for your co-operations.

---

[1] Half of Nigerian Women Experience Domestic Violence. afrol news, 17 /06/11. http://nigeriantimes.blogspot.com/2005/06/violence-against-women-in-nigeria.html, retrieved, 19 /06/11.

[2] Kunhiyop, S. W (2008). African Christian Ethics. Nairobi, Kenya: Hoppo Books.

[3] Domestic violence, Wikipedia, www. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_violence , retrieved, 19 /06/11. 

[4] Ghana News Agency. www.ghananewsagency.com, retrieved, 04/06/11

[5] Scherer, et al (1975). Human Aggression and Conflict: Interdisciplinary Perspectives. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, Inc.  

[6] Barkley, B. L.  (2011). Domestic Violence http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/805546-overview , retrieved, June 19 /06/11. 

[7] Ibid

[8] Domestic violence, Wikipedia, www. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_violence , retrieved, 19 /06/11

[9] ibid

[10] Barkley, B. L.  (2011). Domestic Violence http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/805546-overview , retrieved, June 19 /06/11. 

[11] Kunhiyop, S. W (2008). African Christian Ethics. Nairobi, Kenya: Hoppo Books.

[12] Melinda Smith and Jeanne Segal (2011). Domestic Violence and Abuse.    http://www.helpguide.org/mental/domestic_violence_abuse_types_signs_causes_effects.htm

[13] Ibid

[14] Melinda Smith and Jeanne Segal (2011). Domestic Violence and Abuse.    http://www.helpguide.org/mental/domestic_violence_abuse_types_signs_causes_effects.htm

[15] Melinda Smith and Jeanne Segal (2011). Domestic Violence and Abuse.    http://www.helpguide.org/mental/domestic_violence_abuse_types_signs_causes_effects.htm  

[16] Barkley, B. L.  (2011). Domestic Violence http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/805546-overview , retrieved, June 19 /06/11.

[17] Ibid

[18] South Africa targets domestic violence, BBC news Wednesday, 15 December,1999, 13:17 GMT. www. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/566160.stm; retrieved, June 19 /06/11. 

[19] Half of Nigerian Women Experience Domestic Violence. afrol news, 17 /06/11. http://nigeriantimes.blogspot.com/2005/06/violence-against-women-in-nigeria.html, retrieved, 19 /06/11.

[20] ibid

[21] Half of Nigerian Women Experience Domestic Violence. afrol news, 17 /06/11. http://nigeriantimes.blogspot.com/2005/06/violence-against-women-in-nigeria.html, retrieved, 19 /06/11.

[22] Barkley, B. L.  (2011). Domestic Violence http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/805546-overview , retrieved, June 19 /06/11.

[23] Joshua, S. G and Pevehouse, C.J. (2010). International Relation. New York: Pearson.  

[24] Alemika, E.E.O. (2004). “Prevalence, Sources and Resolution of conflict in Nigeria’’  in Sanda and Briggs (Ed), Issues of peace and Security: Essays in Honour of Major-General Charkes B. Ndiomu. Plateau State: National Institute Press.

[25] Dokun Oyeshola, (2005). Conflict and Context of Conflict Resolution. Nigeria: Obafemi Awolowo University, Press Ltd, Ile-Ife.

[26] Ibid

[27] Ideh, O.M, (2004). “Conflict and strategy of conflict Resolution: a Theoritical Framework for Africa’’, in Sanda and Briggs (Ed), Issues of peace and Security: Essays in Honour of Major-General Charkes B. Ndiomu. Plateau State: National Institute Press.  

[28] Dokun Oyeshola, (2005). Conflict and Context of Conflict Resolution. Nigeria: Obafemi Awolowo University, Press Ltd, Ile-Ife.

[29] Neuman, L. W. (2007). Basics of Social Research: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. New York: Pearson Publishers.

[30] Half of Nigerian Women Experience Domestic Violence. afrol news, 17 /06/11. http://nigeriantimes.blogspot.com/2005/06/violence-against-women-in-nigeria.html, retrieved, 19 /06/11.

[31] ibid

[32] Domestic violence, Wikipedia, www. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domestic_violence , retrieved, 19 /06/11

[33] Joshua, S. G and Pevehouse, C.J. (2010). International Relation. New York: Pearson.