Professional Assessment of Social Work Interventions for Domestic Violence Survivors in Ogun State

Social work practice with domestic violence survivors in Nigeria requires evidence-based professional frameworks that are adapted to the cultural, institutional, and resource constraints of the Nigerian context. This study professionally assesses the effectiveness of social work interventions available to domestic violence survivors in Ogun State, South West Nigeria. A mixed-methods design was employed, with structured questionnaires administered to forty-two practicing social workers and welfare officers across state social welfare offices in Abeokuta, Sagamu, and Ijebu-Ode, complemented by twelve case file reviews and eight in-depth interviews with survivor service recipients. Assessment criteria were drawn from international social work best practice standards and the provisions of the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act 2015. Results indicate that case management, the most systematically applied intervention, was implemented with significant consistency gaps, with only 38% of case files demonstrating complete safety planning documentation. Psychosocial counseling services were available at only two of five visited welfare offices, limiting access for survivors in peripheral local government areas. Referral pathway knowledge was satisfactory among 61% of social workers but inter-agency coordination with police, health facilities, and legal aid providers remained weak in practice. Supervisory oversight of casework was insufficient, with social workers averaging only one formal supervision session per month. Recommendations include mandatory safety planning training for all welfare officers, establishment of inter-agency domestic violence response teams in all senatorial districts, and investment in qualified social work supervision structures in Ogun State. Keywords: domestic violence, social work interventions, Ogun State, survivor services, VAPP.