DETERMINE THE INFLUENCE OF TRAUMA ON VICTIMS' WILLINGNESS TO REPORT INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES

This study examined the influence of psychological trauma on victims' willingness to report intimate partner violence
(IPV) to law enforcement agencies in Nigeria. The study was motivated by the persistent under-reporting of intimate
partner violence despite increasing legal and institutional efforts to address gender-based violence. Specifically, the
study sought to determine the extent to which psychological trauma influences victims' willingness to report intimate
partner violence and to examine the relationship between trauma-related emotional responses, including fear, anxiety,
depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and traumatic bonding, and victims' reporting behaviour. A
descriptive survey research design was adopted using a quantitative research approach. Data were collected through
a structured questionnaire administered to selected survivors of intimate partner violence using appropriate sampling
techniques. The instrument was validated by experts and its reliability established using Cronbach's Alpha. Data were
analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, while the
hypothesis was tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation and simple linear regression at a 0.05 level of
significance. The findings revealed that psychological trauma has a substantial influence on victims' willingness to
report intimate partner violence to law enforcement agencies, with respondents agreeing that trauma significantly
discourages formal reporting. The study also found a significant negative relationship between trauma-related
emotional responses and victims' willingness to report abuse, indicating that increased levels of fear, anxiety,
depression, PTSD, and traumatic bonding reduce the likelihood of reporting. Furthermore, the hypothesis test
demonstrated that psychological trauma has a statistically significant influence on victims' willingness to report
intimate partner violence, leading to the rejection of the null hypothesis. The study concludes that unresolved
psychological trauma remains a major barrier to reporting intimate partner violence in Nigeria. It recommends the
adoption of trauma-informed policing, expansion of psychosocial support services, improved victim-centred
reporting mechanisms, strengthened implementation of relevant laws, and increased public awareness to encourage
reporting and enhance the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in protecting survivors of intimate partner
violence.

Funding: This is a self-funded research

Conflict of Interest: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Ethics Approval: Not_applicable

Data Availability: Data will be made available upon reasonable request

AI-Assisted Writing: No AI tools were used in the preparation of this manuscript.