UTILIZATION OF SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS AS AWARENESS TOOLS ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA

ABSTRACT

This study was undertaken to examine the utilization of social media platform as awareness tools on domestic violence in Nigeria. Domestic violence is one of Nigeria’s most significant public health problems. It refers to acts of gender-based violence that cause or have the potential to cause physical, sexual, emotional, mental and/or economic harm. It is one of the most widespread violations of human rights. The aim of this study is to uncover the various social media platform that can be used to raise awareness on domestic violence in Nigeria and to determine the roles of social media platform in the fight against domestic violence in Nigeria, this study seeks to examine domestic violence especially among women, Children and partners living in Oredo local government area, Benin city, Edo state. Five research objectives guided the study from which four research questions were raised. The population of the study is estimates to be 400 people. The simple random sampling method was adopted. The descriptive research design survey was used, with a sample size of 400 using the Taro Yamane formula. The questionnaire was the research instrument for the collection of data. 400 questionnaires were administered online and physically, 330 copies were properly filled and returned, 25 questionnaires were wrongly filled and had to be discarded while 45 respondents did not return the questionnaire. Findings on this research study shows that social media platforms are a great way of reporting and creating awareness on domestic violence in Nigeria, social media platform has helped and played different role on the fight against domestic violence in Nigeria, especially among women. Several rape cases, domestic violence and assault that women have been victims of has been discovered, solved and prevented due to the help of social media platforms that has taken domestic violence seriously, were by not only awareness is created but it is also a powerful platform that reports cases of abuse ,with solid evidence the police will take it from there . According to findings in this study so many Nigerians acknowledged the fact that social media platforms is a reliable platform for reporting and creating awareness on domestic violence in Nigeria.