AN EVALUATION OF THE ROLE OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON CREATING AWARENESS ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN KADUNA NORTH, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Domestic violence is a global public health concern with detrimental effects on women physical, mental and social wellbeing. However, there is a lack of community based studies assessing the effect of social media on domestic violence in Kaduna North of Kaduna State, Nigeria. The study assessed the role of social media in creating awareness of domestic violence in Kaduna North of Kaduna State. The objectives of the study were to: determine the role of social media coverage of domestic violence related issues in Kaduna North of Kaduna State Nigeria and examine the level of social media awareness creation on the effect of domestic violence related issues in Kaduna North. To achieve these objectives, two research questions were asked. The study employed a Survey research design with a sample size of 252 using Krejcie and Morgan statistical sampling formula. Descriptive analysis was adopted for the study; this involves the use of a percentage and a mean score. The study concluded that the social media has a special role to play in stemming the tide of domestic violence through frequent coverage and proper awareness creation on the effect of domestic violence-related issues. The study recommended among others that to address effectively the issue of domestic violence in Kaduna North of Kaduna State, Nigeria, social media organizations should always be involved by the security agencies when any domestic violence-related cases are being treated to create more awareness of domestic violence to deter the existing and future intended domestic violence in society.