Abstract:
This study investigated the dynamics of gender-based domestic violence against children in Nigeria. This qualitative
study explored the experiences of 20 purposively selected girl-children (age range = 12 to 15 years) from two SOS
Children’s Village who have been victims of Domestic Violence (DV). Qualitative data on DV experiences and associated
factors were collected through 6 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Physical violence was reported by 90% of the
participants; psychological abuse by 80% and violent sexual abuse (rape) by 10%. Major factors associated with last
episode of DV experiences included: inability to finish selling wares that were being hawked, late preparation of food,
getting home late from the market, burning of the employer’s cloth while ironing, refusal to be genitally cut and refusal to
be raped by the man of the house. Self-reported consequences of DV by victims included amongst others: constant
headaches (30%) physical injury (25%), sleep disturbances (20%), excessive fear and anxiety (10%), hatred for men
(10%) and suicidal ideation (5%). These findings suggest that DV may be playing significant but salient role in the poor
state of health of Nigerian children and effective intervention processes at all levels are needed to address it.
