THE HIDDEN CONCEQUENCES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON VICTIMS AND SOCIETIES: A CASE STUDY OF EDO STATE NIGERIA.

Domestic violence is a pervasive but often hidden crisis that inflicts profound and lasting harm on survivors, their families, and broader society. This study, “The Hidden Consequences of Domestic Violence on Victims and Societies: A Case Study of Edo State, Nigeria”, explores the under-examined psychological, economic, and social impacts of intimate partner abuse in both urban and rural communities. Employing a qualitative case-study approach, we draw on in-depth survivor narratives, focus group discussions with community leaders, and thematic analysis of NGO and police reports to document how survivors endure chronic mental health challenges (depression, anxiety, PTSD), struggle with financial instability (job loss, dependency, depleted resources), and face social stigma and isolation that delay their recovery. We further trace the intergenerational ripple effects, showing that children exposed to violence are more likely to normalize abuse and perpetuate it in adulthood. Despite the passage of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act in 2015, Edo State remains underserved by shelters, trauma-informed counseling, and specialized law-enforcement responses. Our findings underscore the urgent need for holistic interventions, stronger policy enforcement, accessible mental health services, economic empowerment programs, and community-wide awareness campaigns, to break the cycle of abuse and support survivors’ long-term healing.