Social and legal constraints in prevention of physical violence against women in Arivu Sub County - Arua District

Abstract

The study attempts to assess the social and legal constraints in prevention of physical violence among women. This study was conducted in Arivu Sub County - Arua district between 2014 – 2017.

The study was cross sectional employing both qualitative and quantitative study designs. Primary data was obtained through conducting semi structured interviews among fifty women, two Focus group discussions were held among women with each group comprising five participants; one focus group discussion comprising seven members was conducted among the local council one, and two in-depth interviews were further held with the local council three and the officer In-charge Arivu Police post. Secondary data was obtained through reviewing books in the library, E-books, journals, and internet among others. Qualitative data was organized, recurring ideas and language, concepts, patterns of beliefs that linked the respondents together were determined, analyzed and presented in narrative form. Quantitative data obtained was analyzed using Microsoft Office Excel statistical package and presented inform of tables, graphs, and pie charts.

The study revealed that many of the abused women were reluctant to disclose abuse because they wanted to conceal those violence experiences because of perceptions on disclosing marital affairs, they were concerned about the children’s well being and they admitted lacking knowledge about legal provisions in addressing violence against women. In addition, the findings revealed unpleasant experiences while accessing justice, which included police demanding for bribes, immediate release of culprits after arrest and police chasing away complainant which then discouraged women from reporting violence case to police.

As a review, the results gained from this study prove the existence of physical violence among women in Arivu Sub County. Indeed the social values upheld by the communities of Arivu coupled with legal irregularities are a great hindrance to prevention and elimination of physical violence.

There is need for concerted efforts in the fight against physical violence which goes beyond merely enacting the Domestic Violence Act. Community sensitization about the dangers of physical violence and about the Domestic Violence Act among others need to be done.