DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2015.v03i01.030

Pages: 131-138

Intimate partner violence (IPV) has devastating consequences for the women who experience it and a traumatic effect on children who witness it. Abused women are not passive victims but rather they adopt active strategies to maximize their safety and that of their children. This study determined the impact of IPV and coping strategies adopted among women in military and civilian communities of Abuja, Nigeria. Data was collected from 260 married or co-habiting women in civilian and military populations, on impact of IPV among them and adopted coping strategies including suggested solutions to evade or cushion the effect. Focus group discussions (FGDs) were also conducted to complement quantitative data. Result of analyzed data was presented in charts while FGD data was subjected to content analysis.All the respondents in the FGD groups unanimously agreed that IPV impacts negatively on a victim‟s health. Majority of civilian 46 (42.6%) and military 59 (45.4%) IPV victims sought help from informal sectors like families, friends and churches. Most of the civilian respondents 16(14.8%) sought help because they were encouraged by family and friends while majority of the military barracks respondents 36(27.7%) sought help because they couldn‟t endure the violence anymore. Early behavioral change communications directed at the male child, economic empowerment of girl child coupled with prayers were some of the suggested ways of curbing IPV during the FGD. The religious communities should be sensitized to preach against IPV and IPV “drivers” as well as stigmatize abusers as a deterrent.