AN ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SOCIAL MEDIA IN RAISING PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN IBADAN NORTH-WEST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF OYO STATE

This study assessed the effectiveness of social media in raising public awareness about domestic violence in Ibadan North-West Local Government Area of Oyo State. The objectives of the research were to examine the frequency and type of social media usage among residents, to assess their awareness and perception of domestic violence campaigns on social media, and to evaluate the impact of such campaigns on knowledge, attitudes, and behavior. The study adopted a survey research design, and data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered to 150 respondents selected through Yamane’s sample size determination method. Findings revealed that WhatsApp and Facebook were the most commonly used platforms in the study area. Results also showed that 77.3% of respondents were aware of domestic violence campaigns on social media, and 74.6% considered the messages credible. Moreover, social media campaigns significantly improved knowledge (77.3%), influenced attitudes (72.7%), and encouraged readiness to act against domestic violence (69.1%). The study concluded that social media is an effective tool for raising awareness and fostering behavioral change regarding domestic violence. It recommended that government agencies, NGOs, and activists intensify the use of WhatsApp and Facebook for advocacy, make campaigns more interactive, and partner with influencers to increase visibility.