Exploring strategies used by abusers in intimate partner violence among married individuals in Okaikwei North Municipality

Abstract

This study was to explore strategies used by abusers in intimate partner violence among married individuals in Okaikwei North Municipality. The focus was to explore the experiences of strategies of abuse in three different forms (Physical strategies, psychological strategies and Economic strategies) from participants of married individuals in Okaikwei North Municipal Community in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Data was collected using a purposeful sampling technique and interview guide as data collecting tool, designed by the researcher to gather information or data from a maximum of 12 participants of men and women married individuals. The study findings indicated that, women participants experienced physical abuse in the form of spousal beating and force sex and physical strategies used include: man abusers use physical body contact to restrict, isolate, threat and force to have sex with the wife. Both married men and women were psychologically worried, disturbed, insomnia, humiliated, cheated, irritated, and upsets and psychological strategies used were denying sex, verbal insults, controlling behaviours and Public humiliations. Also, married men and women abusers denied their responsibilities in economic abuse and economic strategies used were; men abusers becoming stingy, and they had notion that their wives are working to earn income. Whilst women abusers intentionally come home late and also demanded money from husband before allowing sex. These results, are discussed in relation to the previous findings, theories and in reference to Ghanaian context. The study had encouraged married individuals to become more responsible and to reduced Intimate Partner Violence (IPV).