The Role of Domestic Violence in Driving Female Migration and Heightening Trafficking Vulnerabilities
*1Adekunle Emmanuel Makanjuola and 2Blessing Mary Aninkan
*1Department of Social Studies, Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Email: aemakanjuola@fce-abeokuta.edu.ng
Abstract
Domestic violence often acts as a suffocating constraint, compelling many women to flee their homes in search of safety. Unfortunately, this escape can heighten their susceptibility to human trafficking. This study explores the intersection of domestic abuse, female migration, and vulnerability to trafficking, emphasizing domestic violence as a key push factor. ANOVA analysis revealed significant differences in migration-related vulnerability across socioeconomic groups (F(2, 147) = 40.066, p < .001). Post hoc Tukey HSD tests showed notable disparities between low and middle-income groups (mean difference = 9.398, p < .001) and between middle and high-income groups (mean difference = -7.565, p < .001), though the difference between low and high-income groups was not significant. Pearson correlation indicated a weak, non-significant relationship between migration vulnerability and educational background (r = -0.069, p = .403). Similarly, Spearman’s rho revealed a weak, non-significant link between age and vulnerability (r = 0.045, p = .584). However, a chi-square test (χ²(5) = 37.066, p < .001) found a significant association between geographic location and difficulty accessing domestic violence support. These findings highlight the complex interplay of economic status, education, age, and geography in shaping women’s risks during migration, calling for nuanced, multidimensional policy responses.
Keywords
Domestic violence, Female migration, Human trafficking, Exploitation, Vulnerability
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