DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN: A STUDY OF RURAL AND URBAN DISPARITIES IN OGUN STATE

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN: A STUDY OF RURAL AND URBAN DISPARITIES IN OGUN STATE

1.1 Background of the Study

Domestic violence against children encompasses physical, emotional, and sexual abuse occurring within the home environment. In Nigeria, cultural norms often tolerate corporal punishment as discipline, yet without clear boundaries it can escalate into violence (Christian & Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect, 2015). National estimates suggest that roughly half of Nigerian children experience some form of physical or emotional maltreatment (Afifi et al., 2016). However, rural–urban divides—shaped by differences in poverty, education, and access to services—may influence both prevalence and reporting patterns.

In Ogun State, urban centers like Abeokuta benefit from greater awareness campaigns and child-protection infrastructures, whereas rural communities often rely on traditional dispute-resolution mechanisms with limited formal oversight (Glick, Lorand, & Bilka, 2016). Studies from similar settings indicate that rural children may face harsher physical discipline due to lower parental education levels and stronger adherence to customary norms, while urban children may be at increased risk of neglect as parents juggle economic pressures (Lansford et al., 2021). Yet no empirical research has mapped these disparities within Ogun State’s diverse local government areas.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite evidence of widespread domestic violence against children in Nigeria, there is a lack of disaggregated data comparing rural and urban experiences in Ogun State. Without understanding how setting influences risk factors, coping resources, and reporting behaviors, policymakers and child-welfare agencies cannot tailor interventions to community-specific needs.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

To determine and compare the prevalence of domestic violence against children in selected rural and urban LGAs of Ogun State.

To identify sociodemographic and contextual factors (e.g., parental education, household income, community support) associated with rural–urban differences.

To recommend targeted prevention and response strategies sensitive to the unique challenges of rural and urban communities.

1.4 Research Questions

What proportion of children in rural versus urban areas of Ogun State report experiencing physical, emotional, or witnessing domestic violence?

Which family and community factors correlate with higher rates of domestic violence in rural and urban settings?

What context-specific interventions can effectively reduce domestic violence against children in both rural and urban Ogun?

1.5 Significance of the Study

Child-Protection Agencies & NGOs: Will obtain nuanced evidence to design location-specific awareness and support programs.

Policy Makers & Local Government: Data to inform resource allocation—such as rural outreach units versus urban counseling centers.

Parents & Community Leaders: Insights to guide culturally appropriate prevention initiatives and safe-reporting channels.

1.6 Scope and Limitation of the Study

Scope: Cross-sectional household survey of children aged 6–17 and their caregivers in two urban (Abeokuta North, Ijebu Ode) and two rural (Ijebu North, Odeda) LGAs of Ogun State.

Limitations:

Underreporting: Fear or stigma may lead to under-disclosure of abuse, especially in rural areas.

Definition Variability: Cultural interpretations of “violence” versus “discipline” may affect responses.

1.7 Definition of Terms

Domestic Violence Against Children: Any act of physical, emotional, or sexual aggression by a household member toward a child (Christian & Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect, 2015).

Physical Abuse: Nonaccidental physical force causing, or risk of, injury (Berkowitz, 2017).

Emotional Abuse: Patterns of behavior that harm a child’s self-worth or emotional well-being.

Rural–Urban Disparity: Differences in social, economic, and infrastructural factors between rural and urban settings.

Household Income: Combined earnings of all household members, used as an indicator of economic status.

 

List of References

Afifi, T. O., MacMillan, H. L., Boyle, M., Cheung, K., Taillieu, T., Turner, S., & Sareen, J. (2016). Child abuse and physical health in adulthood.

 

Berkowitz, C. D. (2017). Physical abuse of children. New England Journal of Medicine, 376(17), 1659–1666.

Christian, C. W., & Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect. (2015). The evaluation of suspected child physical abuse. Pediatrics, 135(5), e20150356.

Glick, J. C., Lorand, M. A., & Bilka, K. R. (2016). Physical abuse of children. Pediatrics in Review, 37(4), 146–158.

Lansford, J. E., Godwin, J., McMahon, R. J., Crowley, M., Pettit, G. S., Bates, J. E., … Dodge, K. A. (2021). Early physical abuse and adult outcomes. Pediatrics, 147(1).