Prevalence of domestic and family violence reported by young men aged 18-24 years-old in Namibia

Abstract

Prevalence of domestic and family violence reported by Young men aged 18-24 years old in Namibia Frieda Mboshono Theofelus Ahoua Koné Department of Global Health Introduction: Domestic and family violence against children is a major problem, but little is known about the amount of exposure among young men in sub-Saharan Africa specifically in Namibia. Objective: To estimate the overall and past year prevalence of sexual, physical and emotional violence among young Namibian men 18-24 years old. Methods: We used secondary data from the national representative Namibia 2019 Violence Against Children Survey (VACS) to estimate the prevalence of domestic and family violence among the young men, ever married or with romantic partners, who were surveyed. Results: From a sample of 557 Namibian males ages 18 to 24, we analyzed childhood and contemporary experiences of violence. We found that approximately two-thirds (66.8%) reported experiencing some form of childhood violence before the age of 18. While some of these respondents experienced only one or two types of violence, a small number experienced all three types (physical, sexual, and emotional). Of those who experienced only one type of childhood violence, most (57.8%) experienced physical violence followed by emotional violence (35.0%) and sexual violence (17.6%). Among those who had experienced multiple types of violence, less than one-third (22.3%) reported two types, and a smaller number (10.6%) reported having experienced all three types. Conclusions: Our findings show that Namibian young men are frequent victims of direct childhood family violence including physical, emotional, and sexual. To address this prevalent domestic and family violence, young males including adult male victims of violence must know how and where to seek help, not only for themselves but also for children in their household. It is also important to make available strategies that teach healthy relationship skills and those that reduce domestic and family violence to interrupt these types of violence. The high prevalence of domestic and family violence should inform violence prevention and response efforts. The results of this thesis project offer an opportunity for the government of Namibia to lead the way in addressing the problem of violence against men, by focusing on immediate and future prevention and response programs so that young men in Namibia can feel safe, protected, and supported. Keywords: Childhood Sexual violence; Childhood Physical violence; Domestic violence; Family violence Acknowledgements: The implementation of this thesis would not have been possible without the leadership and mentoring of Gabrielle O'Malley, Jennifer Velloza, and Mark Shepard for their support in the earlier time of my thesis work. My most profound appreciation goes to Ahoua Koné, Keshet Ronen, and Stephen Gloyd for giving me the opportunities as well as for their effort, patience, time, trust and understanding during my thesis writing process. I would also like to thank Julie Brunett for her generosity and support and for providing me with resources to pursue my graduate study in the Global Health Department. Furthermore, I value the love and support from Alison Ensminger for her unwavering support and encouragement during my study time. In addition, I would like to thank Dr. Linda Eckert for the warm welcome, the courtesy, and the kindness during my stay in Seattle. Finally, I would like to thank everyone for their support specifically my children (Jacqueline, Simon, and Miriam), my husband (Samuel Theofelus), my beloved mother (Klaudia Kaita), my cousin Rauna Adolf and my friends: Hilya Nghiwete, Diana Selmita Shinana, and Gamena Wa Roy who have been there for me emotionally and intellectually as I have worked on my thesis project.