A Case Study of Domestic Violence against Women in Kapsowar Division of Marakwet District: Implications for Counselling

Abstract

The primary purpose of this study was to find out the causes and forms of domestic violence against women in Kapsowar division of Marakwet District and to discuss their implications for counseling. A sample of 65 women residing in Kipsaiya, Kapsowar and Koibarak locations which make up Kapsowar division was selected using a simple random sampling technique, for it enabled each of the elements in the target population an equal chance of being selected. The researcher personally administered the questionnaire to the respondents and also conducted several interview schedules. Percentages and frequencies were used to describe the trend of the results. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to test the null hypotheses investigated. The results show that the major contributing factors to domestic violence against women in Kapsowar division of Marakwet District are financial/money issues, alcoholism, infidelity/unfaithfulness among partners, religious affiliations, gossips and association with friends. It was also discovered that the most common forms of domestic violence against women are physical abuse, economic abuse, psychological abuse, emotional abuse and social abuse. The implications of the results were discussed and recommendations for both counseling practice and research were made. It is expected that the findings of this study will inform policy makers, Non-governmental organizations and church organizations in formulating policy guidelines geared towards combating the problem of domestic violence against women. Family/couple therapists, social workers and church leaders could use these findings to plan and employ appropriate interventions to prevent the problem of domestic violence against women.