APPROACHES TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE THROUGH LEGAL, FINANCE, ACTIVISM AWARENESS BY UPF IN UGANDA: A CASE STUDY OF KAJJANSI STATION

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate approaches to domestic violence through legal, finance, activism awareness by Uganda Police Force (UPF) in Uganda using Kajjansi Police station.

Methodology: The study design was cross-sectional and descriptive study employing both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection. Data was collected from UPF senior officers (ASP to commissioner (12), PC to sergeant (12), AIP to IP (12) and also from the department of children and family protection unit, women affairs. The other participants in this study included human rights officials and staff from the civil society organisations

Findings: The findings indicate that low pay among the among family heads or those with responsibility of looking after families, this was followed by 20% of the participants who revealed poor housing structures which have seen big families being squeezed in one house which is not in good condition, followed by alcoholism represented with 16%, 12% of participants said Domestic Violence was caused by loose talk among women while 11% of respondents revealed diseases and 7% polygamy, respondents revealed lack of financial support whereas 20% of respondents said low levels of awareness (SGBV) among community members and lastly respondents represented with 10% revealed weak laws and policies.

Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The police, being the frontline social institution to deal with incidents of domestic violence, have a vital role in assisting victims of domestic abuse to follow through on their decision to seek recourse for the abuse. The police not only represent state policy but also act as an important link to both the prosecution process and to the provision of services to victims in a community. Thus, as "gatekeepers" to the criminal justice system, the UPF plays an important role in shaping victims' initial experiences of it. Although for many victims of domestic violence, the police might be a last resort it is often the first point of contact when the victim decides to take that first bold step towards seeking redress. This can be achieved through, enact a law but to provide the necessary infrastructural tools with which to access the law. The way of doing this is to put a mechanism in place in the law itself.