By Madinah Tebajjukira

ALCOHOLISM and poverty are perceived to be the leading cause of domestic violence, a survey by Synovate has revealed.

According to a study carried out in September, 42% of the respondents said alcoholism was the leading cause of domestic violence, followed by poverty at 34%. In the study conducted by Synovate formerly, Steadman, 17% of the respondents and 16% attributed the cause of domestic violence to adultery and lack of respect to one another. “Overall, most of the respondents (75%) were aware of the cases of domestic violence in their community and their causes,” reads the report. However, the results show a reduction in the number of people who attribute domestic violence to poverty and alcoholism.

The study also shows that there is a slight reduction in number of people who are aware of domestic violence cases from 93% in 2008 to 75% in 2009.

According to the 2006 Uganda Law Reform Commission report, 66% of the respondents reported experiences of domestic violence.

The Police reports also indicate that 12% of men report having suffered domestic violence. Both poverty and alcoholism were rated with 54% and 18% respectively. Another cause, the respondents highlighted, is the loss of parents which stood at 13%, drug abuse 12% and step parents at 11%.

The respondents in the same study noted that child neglect, child labour, defilement, sexual abuse and early marriages were the commonest forms of child abuse. About 74% said they were aware of child abuse in their communities.