CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN BAUCHI LOCAL GOVERNMENT, BAUCHI STATE

ABSTRACT This study titled” effect of domestic violence against women in Bauchi metropolis, Bauchi state”. Family, apart from providing security and emotional support should provide the most secure environment for an individual to grow. However, domestic violence is largely evident in the Nigeria families and societies. The objectives of the study are to assess the impact of domestic violence on women's physical and mental health, social relationships, and well-being. The study is grounded in Feminist Theory, which advocates for gender equality and challenges societal norms that enable violence against women. The Liberal Feminist perspective specifically emphasizes expanding women's rights and opportunities through legal reforms. Primary source of data was used to generate data using questionnaire, the total of 102 sample size was determine using Taro Yamani’s Formula. The findings of the study reveal that considerable number of respondents reported experiencing physical health problems due to domestic violence. The findings show that domestic violence has adversely affected their mental health, leading to conditions such as anxiety and depression. This underscores the deep psychological distress experienced by victims. Social isolation and difficulties in maintaining relationships are other notable effects of domestic violence. The study the study also recommends that Implement comprehensive public awareness campaigns and educational programs to inform the community about domestic violence, its impacts, and available resources. These programs should target all age groups and include workshops, seminars, and media outreach to increase understanding and foster a supportive environment for victims. Advocate for and support the development and enforcement of robust legal and policy frameworks that address domestic violence. This includes ensuring that laws are up-to-date, penalties are strict, and legal processes are accessible to survivors. Collaboration with policymakers and legal experts can help create a more effective legal system for tackling domestic violence. KEYWORDS: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE (GBV), WOMEN EMPOWERMENT, SOCIOECONOMIC FACTORS