1.

0 Introduction
Domestic violence is abusive behaviors conducted by either one or both partners involved in an intimate
relationship. The abuse can be targeted at one of the partners or at the offspring. This includes wife or husband
battering, child abuse and other abuse perpetrated to harm family members. On the other hand, stalking is a
repeated behavior or an act of harassment, which involves the creation of an unwanted attention or making of
unnecessary contact with a specific person or individual with an aim of creating fear or causing harm. These
threats can be perpetrated directly or indirectly. Many cases of domestic violence have been directed to women
and children. Because of the eminent challenges, effects and societal problems relating to domestic violence
and stalking pose it is important that measures be put in place to address them objectively (Douglas, 2002). It
is however critical that the perpetrators of the domestic violence (batterers) be made to account for any violent
behavior (Whitcomb, 2002).
1.1 Statement of the problem
Domestic violence is a multifaceted problem that requires proactive mitigation strategies by the society,
government, families and individuals. The significance of the problem emanates from the fact that its
escalation and devastating effects not only lower quality of life but also leads to physical harm, emotional and
psychological torture and even death. Negatively, domestic valence is in the rise, a crime committed in the very
areas where one should feel safest. According to the UNICEF (2000), the issue of domestic violence is a
major problem in the society given that the main victims, women and children suffer from it "in places where
they should be safest: within their families... at the hands of somebody close to them - somebody they should
be able to trust" (p.1). Domestic violence is thus a real problem that can be likened to "a regime of terror and
violence" and has far reaching consequences in family and social relationships (UNICEF, 2000, p.1).
1.2 Significance of the study
The results of this study will significantly contribute to understanding of the various issues relating to domestic
violence. Specifically, it will be possible to analytical understand and appreciate, with an aim of reducing, the
various causes and effects of domestic violence. Further, the study would be critical for the victims of domestic
violence, therapist, physicians, care givers, the policy makers and the society u general, in attempts to help
curb the crime, based on the espoused effects to groups and individuals. In effect, the various stakeholders
and special interest groups would be able to develop mitigation and intervention strategies that would assist the
victims, punish crime and promote harmonious living in families.
1.3 Research Objectives
The objectives of this study are:

 To explore the effects of domestic violence and mitigation as well as intervention strategies that can be applied
by the authorities and other stakeholders to fight domestic violence
 To establish the role of public education in reducing causes and effects of domestic violence
 To determine the role physicians and therapists can play is giving psychological support to victims of domestic
violence
1.4 Research Hypotheses
In this study, it is hypothesized that:

 Domestic violence is a wide spared global problem that inflicts psychological , physical and emotional pain to the
victims, if not addressed effectively
 There have been efforts to eliminate domestic valence and the associated effects, though some initiatives have been less
productive
 Awareness on the issues relating to domestic violence can help the victims know their rights and also reduce the level
rate of the problem
2. 0 Literature Review
This chapter will explore past studies relating to the topic, investigate the nature of the problem,
and establish how the existing laws, practices, institutions, and theories can be applied in
promotion of good and effective domestic life devoid of violence. Lastly, the chapter will relate
the hypothesis to the literatures reviewed. Preliminary Literatures reviewed underscore the
fundamental issues behind domestic violence.
The issue is very complex and is mainly exhibited by historical injustices that have left many
crimes go unpunished. It is thus a "global epidemic that kills, tortures, and maims-physically,
psychologically and economically" (UNICED, 2000, p.2). These clearly outline the fundamental
effects of Domestic Violence
There are various strategies that have been put in place and proposed as alternative strategies to
reduce the rates of domestic violence and its effects. To eliminate or reduce cases of domestic
violence and stalking in any society, various laws have to be legislated. For instance, the
provision of protection Act which require that upon reporting of any case of domestic violence or
stalking, faster action be taken to apprehend the perpetrator of the crime and bring justice to the
victim. The protection law or Act should take care of the victim's protection, to avoid cases of
prejudice (Baldry & Winkel, 2008). With the understanding of the sentence or punishment
accorded to execution of such crime most people will shy away from doing them. However, in
most instances, the laws which have been adopted have been rarely implemented because of the
laxity of the enforcers and loopholes in the laws. As such, there have been instances where the
authorities have behaved as though they condone the practice. This relates to the implicit silence
as well as "the passivity [that is commonly] displayed by the state and the law enforcing
machinery" (UNICEF, 2000, p.2). This calls for more agitation by the civil society and
community organizations as well as development of new and more effective laws.
Education of the masses, as a tool of creating awareness on the available protection laws and on
the factors that define a crime of stalking or domestic violence holds key to unravel the crime.
This, coupled with community based therapies, will aid in avoiding false accusations on basis of
misunderstood advances by one person or another. This will also help in fostering the
understanding of the importance of evidence in the punishment of the crime offenders. Special
treatment and access of medication by the victims of domestic violence or abuse and stalkers
should be put in place to allow the collection of information and to allow the reporting of various
cases of abuse. This will work in the reduction of the crime as factors leading to the crime
execution can be controlled (Douglas, 2002 (. However, in most places a good form of
community based support system are both inadequate and less resource endowed to ably deal
with the cases of domestic violence (Whitcomb, 2002).
While instituting laws on crime prevention and persecution of the offenders, the challenge of
collecting enough evidence, which is required to pass a sentence on domestic violence and
stalking, becomes a setback. This result from lack of willingness by the victims to give the
information following fear of victimization and withdrawal of support from the offenders who
might be the bread-winners of the families involved. Some states like Michigan however have
local domestic violence programs to address such issues and offer the victims reliable advice
(Logic, 2002). The provision of medical facilities for the victims is important. However, the
provision of abuse recording services at these facilities makes a number of the victims to shy
from accessing medication. These individuals may regard domestic violence as matters that are
to be solved within the family (Hewitt et al, 2002). This slows the fight against these vices
Family physicians are of paramount importance on matters related to domestic violence. The role
played here is to instill a sense of confidence in every other member of a family on their rights
and on the importance of information on abuses inflicted on them. They offer advice, moral
support and empower individuals, through education, and thus help in reducing cases of abuses
or stalking (Robert, 2002). The government should foster rights awareness to every other citizen.
 It is however the duty of any government to institute laws calling for harsh punishment of the
offenders and inculcate prevention measures through education of the masses.
3.0 Methology
In this chapter, the research design will be outlined in a detailed manner that can be used to test
the connection among the variables.
The major variables considered in the process of carrying out the study the relationship and
impact that public education, proper law enforcement and support / treatment programs have on
domestic violence. The chapter will therefore describe the data collection design, the data
collection approach and the data analysis.
3.1 Research Philosophy, Approach and Strategy
A research philosophy can be defined as the course of developing knowledge and the nature of
that knowledge from which assumptions that underpin the research strategies and methods are
derived (Shanmugam, Amaratunga & Haigh, 2008). The ultimate aim of any research philosophy
is therefore to assist researchers to design a research methodology that will help them to position
the study and align it within the chosen philosophical gamut.
In carrying out the study, the philosophy of research is taken into account to ensure that all the
necessary factors are covered while the subjective elements are critically analyzed before a
conclusion is arrived at. In this case, the application of philosophy in the research strategy and
study approach chosen is of great importance. According to Sheffield (2004), it is the through
research philosophy that a researcher is able to "challenge and ultimately clarify" [the arguments
presented, the] "constructs often taken for granted" through constructive criticisms (p.11). The
study's strategies outline the concepts critically interpreted to come up with a better
understanding of the data. That is, designing a research strategy requires objective application of
a philosopher's tools which enables a researcher to "investigate and then mediate experience and
thereby formulate solutions to problems; problems of a specific type" (Sheffield, 2004, p.4).
According to Neergaard et al (2009), qualitative research is normally adopted with a view to
describe the informant's perception and experience of the world and its phenomenon.