COUNSELLING AGAINST DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AMONG FAMILIES, A PANACEA TO BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS AMONG PRIMARY SCHOOL PUPILS IN NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

Domestic violence is increasingly becoming a rampant problem among Nigerian families, with children always at the receiving end. The paper focuses on the impact of domestic violence on the behavioural development of primary school pupils. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. It had a population comprising primary four and five pupils purposively selected from Nasarawa State University Demonstration Nursery and Primary School. Data was collected using purposive random technique. Statistics used for data analysis includes frequency, percentages, mean-and standard deviation.- Findings of the study revealed that 50.9% of respondents have witnessed domestic violence between their parents, and while 20.0% of them are witnesses of physical violence, 10.9% witnessed emotional and. 7.3% witnessed economic violence. The study similarly revealed that some respondents exhibit similar violent behaviours that they witness. It was hence concluded that domestic violence between parents has negative impact on pupils’ physical, psychological, emotional and social development. Researchers therefore recommended the need for counsellors Educate and counsel parents/families to guard their children's upbringing against exposure to domestic violence