Domestic Violence Victimisation in Nigeria: The Often Ignored Perspective

Abstract

Domestic violence is a bidirectional global human factor. It is actually gender-neutral, albeit in Nigeria and beyond, women are erroneously considered by most as “the victims” of domestic violence, and men as “the perpetrators”. Using the doctrinal methodology, this paper explores the often ignored fact that men are also the victims of domestic violence perpetrated by women. It argues that even in a patriarchal society like Nigeria where women are considered as the “weaker sex” and men, “the head”, men still suffer domestic violence perpetrated by women. It offers possible patterns and reasons for domestic violence against men, and why violated men are usually silent, ignored or unbelieved. Lastly, it makes suggestions for tackling the menace. The paper is an alternative insight to the often ignored perspective of domestic violence, especially in Nigeria. There is no known primary data on this subject, hence, this paper rests basically on secondary data.