This New Outcry on Domestic Violence

Domestic violence between a husband and wife has  been in existence for as long as human beings have existed.The wife is most times the one who suffers most.The bodily injuries from domestic violence reminds everyone that no human being should be subjected to such treatment.There are also extreme cases where it can lead to death and permanent disfigurement.It is not just physical,it can be verbal,emotional or mental,sexual abuse,religious and economic.

I am writing about domestic violence because of the different confessions of women who have come out in the public to announce to the world about the physical abuse they have suffered from their husbands.From the Mercy Aigbe Gentry story to many countless women who share the same agony and pain.

In Nigeria,domestic violence is not commonly reported.Women suffer in silence as the society encourages them to hold on to their marriage at all cost.It can also be said that domestic violence has produced an intergenerational cycle of abuse.A situation where children who are exposed to domestic violence from their parents,grow up to become adult male and female and do not see anything wrong in performing the act or accepting it.Some people see the man as justified for physically abusing his wife.In countries like U.S,U.K,France,Germany etc domestic violence is prohibited.In most developing countries it is tolerated.

Many celebrities have added their voice by calling on wives to "help" their husbands.They argue that domestic violence usually occur when there is an exchange of hurtful words between couples,and women who are known for their verbosity can say something that injures a man's ego and greatly infuriate him leading to beating and  hitting.The woman should therefore avoid this by keeping quiet.There is some sense in this but its really not easy keeping quiet.The woman is human too,she also has feelings.Husbands should walk away when they notice that the exchange of words is getting out of hand and could result in domestic violence,both couples should be careful of what they say in anger to each other.

My take on this whole thing is that as parents we must teach our children to respect people and  humanity.Our boys must understand that girls must be treated as ladies,not as a punching bag,not as targets for negative statements.We must lead by example in our homes.