PREVALENCE AND TRENDS OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE IN UYO URBAN, AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is one of the most prevalent socialproblems in Uyo Urban, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria as cases continue to risevery rapidly in the area. This study therefore was to ascertain theprevalence and the trends of intimate partner violence that can give rise todeviant sexual acts. It adopted the anomie theory which assumes thatdeviant behaviour arises in situations where there is a breakdown of lawand order. Participants in the study were purposively drawn using asnowball sampling technique while data were obtained through interviewsof participants and key informants. Data analysis was done qualitatively asparticipant responses were grouped in themes according to the studyspecific objectives. Results indicated that intimate partner violencecontributes to deviant sexual acts in the study area. It was also found thatthe most dominant form of IPV in the area is physical abuse (punching,slapping, and shoving) and married women were the most abused set ofpeople in the study area. Allegations of infidelity and economic factors werefound to be the major drivers of IPV and sexual deviations were copingmeasures for IPV. To address the high prevalence of IPV, punishments ofoffenders by the law should be enforced to serve as deterrence to others andalso encourage “silent victims” to speak up and call for help.