Domestic violence in Ghana: Exploring first-hand accounts of incarcerated male perpetrators based in Nsawam prison and views of government officials
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Date
2020
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Abstract
Although male perpetration of violence against female partners is a global concern, there
continues to be insufficient research attention on this phenomenon. The current study aimed
at exploring experiences of male perpetrators of violence against their female partners in
intimate relationships. The specific objectives were to get an understanding of the reasons and
beliefs contributing towards perpetration of domestic violence, explore the barriers that
perpetrators encounter with regard to receiving reformative support, and to suggest possible
strategies that can be adopted to reduce or prevent domestic violence. Adopting a qualitative
approach, data were obtained through in-depth interviews and participant observations
involving 22 convicted male perpetrators in the Nsawam Prisons in the Eastern Region of
Ghana, followed by interviews with stakeholders at the offices of the Domestic Violence &
Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police Service. The Interpretative
Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used to analyse the data. Each transcript went through
a thorough analysis to extract themes which were subsequently Synchronised. Overall, the
findings from the present study elucidated some theoretical and practical implications. It
reveals the following major themes: perception of inequality between sexes, bride price,
childhood experience/witness of abuse, and victim blaming as contributory factors to the
phenomenon of male violence against women.
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Keywords
Domestic violence, male-perpetrated violence, ntimate partner homicide, intimate partner violence