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@article{206901,
        author = {ROSE SAMUEL GAROS and Dr. SADI H. YIGA and PROF. UMAR USMAN SHEHU},
        title = {FACTORS INFLUENCING ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN JOS SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF PLATEAU STATE NIGERIA},
        journal = {International Journal of Innovative Research in Technology},
        year = {2026},
        volume = {13},
        number = {2},
        pages = {3286-3298},
        issn = {2349-6002},
        url = {https://ijirt.org/article?manuscript=206901},
        abstract = {This study examines the factors influencing access to justice for victims of domestic violence in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. Using a survey research design, 378 adult respondents were sampled from a population of approximately 306,716 using Krejcie and Morgan’s sample size determination, with data collected through structured questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The study was anchored on Feminist Theory. Findings reveal that physical violence (32.8%) is the most common form of domestic violence, followed by emotional violence (22.8%). Fear of stigma (27.0%) constitutes the major barrier preventing victims from seeking justice, with financial constraints (23.3%) and lack of trust in law enforcement (19.6%) also significant. The majority of respondents rated the response of justice institutions as ineffective (29.6%) or very ineffective (19.1%), while delay in court processes (25.4%) and fear of retaliation from perpetrators (22.8%) emerged as the greatest challenges victims face when seeking justice. The study concludes that domestic violence remains a serious social problem in Jos South, and access to justice is severely constrained by sociocultural stigma, economic dependency, weak institutional responses, and procedural delays. Recommendations include strengthening public enlightenment campaigns to reduce stigma, improving law enforcement training and victim friendly mechanisms, providing accessible legal aid and economic empowerment programs, and introducing faster judicial procedures for domestic violence cases.},
        keywords = {Domestic violence, Access to justice, Victims, and Barriers},
        month = {July},
        }