Lagos – Some lawyers in Lagos on Friday identified ways of stopping the spate of domestic violence in the society.
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The lawyers, in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) blamed the situation on unwillingness of the victims to report cases to law enforcement authorities.
A lawyer and social critic, Mr Emenike Nnoromele, said that women mostly suffered from domestic violence.
He said that while some women would choose to quit such marriages, others prefer to stay and lament in silence due to pressure from family or because of their children.
“Domestic violence in the society especially on women, is one that calls for serious attention,” he said
Nnoromele also blamed the situation on the failure of the victims to report cases of violence to the appropriate channels for help.
He said that there were several Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) which entertained such cases and urged victims to seek redress through these avenues.
Another lawyer and rights activist, Mr Osita Chimezie, stressed the need for the enactment of specific legislation to check cases of domestic violence.
He said that some victims of domestic violence were often compelled to seek for divorce when the situation becomes unbearable.
“The weight of domestic violence in our society is over bearing and it is fast becoming a norm.
“Violence or battering is the major causes of divorce in our society and women are mostly at the receiving end.
“I think it is now necessary for a law to be enacted, spelling out sanctions for perpetrators of domestic violence,” he said
In his submission, Mr Anthony Makolo, a lawyer and activist, said that a combination of factors were responsible for upsurge of domestic violence in the society.
He said that violence in the home was mostly perceived by the society as a family affair.
“This perception has forced some women to accept the situation as a part of family life and so, would rather prefer to keep silent,” he said.
Makolo, however, noted that if women formed the habit of reporting cases of violence to the appropriate channel, the vice would become history.
On his part, Mr Mark Obijiagwu, a lawyer, said that men were also victims of domestic violence.
He declared that women were not the only victims of violence in the home, adding that some women were in the habit of assaulting their husbands.
“It is clear that women are mostly victims of violence in the home, but it is also important to note that some women beat up their husbands although the cases may be rare,” he said
According to Obijiagwu, men who are victims of violence from their wives should also seek redress from the appropriate authorities. (NAN)
