ABUSE AGAINST WOMEN AND ITS EFFECTS ON FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS IN SOUTHERN SENATORIAL DISTRICT, TARABA STATE

Abstract

This study focuses primarily on married women, as abuse within marital and intimate partner relationships has the most direct and sustained impact on family relationships. However, divorced and separated women with prior marital experience were also included to capture retrospective insights into how abuse affected family dynamics. The objectives were to identify the forms of abuse women experience and perception of abuse, determine its effects on family relationships, and examine coping strategies and community interventions. The study employed feminist theory. A descriptive survey design was adopted, involving 180 respondents selected through stratified sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews and analyzed through descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Findings revealed that physical, emotional, and economic abuses are the most prevalent and are heavily influenced by cultural norms, economic dependency, and weak reporting systems. The analysis showed that abuse significantly destroys trust, communication, and cohesion within families, while children exposed to violence experience long-term emotional and behavioral problems. Coping strategies rely largely on extended family networks, traditional leaders, and informal women's groups, with limited government intervention. The study concludes that abuse against women remains a major threat to family stability and community wellbeing in Southern Taraba. It recommends stronger legal enforcement, increased awareness programs, economic empowerment for women, accessible counseling services, and collaborative community-based interventions to reduce abuse and strengthen family relationships.