Globally, domestic violence is a significant problem and one of the most pervasive human rights challenges especially for the most part of African societies whose issues relating to partners violence is largely treated as hidden phenomenon. Domestic violence remains a hidden and persistent problem because of the power and control held by the abuser, the fear, intimidation and humiliation suffered by the victim of the crime. This study was carried out in secondary schools in Nigeria to investigate domestic violence on family relationships among couples in Ekiti state. Three research questions were raised to guide the study and three hypotheses were also formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The study adopted the survey method of descriptive research design. Population is comprised of all JSS III students in social studies classes in Ekiti state. The sample of three [3] schools with one hundred and fifty (150) students were used. The schools were in three local government areas in Ekiti state. The students were taught domestic violence using demonstration method in one school and in another, using Discussion Method in another, using lecture method in the third school after which the students were served with the questionnaire designed by the researcher. Face and content validity of the instrumentation was done by the researcher together with colleagues in counseling psychology. Corrections were made. The reliability of the instrument was carried out on 30 students using the test retest method with a coefficient correlation of 0.81 obtained which implies the instrument was reliable for the study. To combat frequent domestic violence in families, the students in their formative years as recommended that peace and non-violent curriculum that will integrate the study of domestic violence, inter group conflict and development of critical thinking as well as problem solving be adopted in schools in Nigeria, since domestic violence has done more harm to couples and their relationships, this paper suggest peace curriculum in all schools for the sake of the children who will grow up to become responsible husband and wives in the future.
Keywords: Domestic Violence, Social Studies, dramatization method, peace curriculum
