AWARENESS OF “STAND AGAINST RAPE” CAMPAIGN BY PARADIGM INITIATIVES AMONG THE YOUTHS IN OFFA COMMUNITY

The study examined the Awareness of the Stand against Rape (SAR) Campaign by Paradigm Initiatives among Youths in Offa Community, Kwara State. The research was motivated by the rising cases of sexual violence in Nigeria and the need to assess the effectiveness of advocacy campaigns designed to enlighten and empower young people. The study specifically sought to determine the level of awareness of the SAR campaign among youths, identify the major communication channels used to disseminate campaign messages, evaluate youths’ perceptions of its effectiveness, examine its influence on preventive and reporting behaviors, and identify the challenges hindering its impact. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design, and structured questionnaires were administered to a sample of 364 youths aged 18–35 years within Offa Local Government Area. Data were analyzed using frequencies and percentages. Findings revealed that a significant number of youths were aware of the SAR campaign, with social media—particularly Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp—emerging as the most influential communication channel. Traditional media such as radio and television also contributed meaningfully to information dissemination, especially among youths with limited internet access. The study further established that the SAR campaign positively influenced attitudes and behaviors toward sexual violence by promoting openness, encouraging the reporting of incidents, and increasing empathy toward survivors. However, challenges such as limited funding, cultural barriers, societal stigma, and inadequate stakeholder collaboration were identified as major constraints to the campaign’s full effectiveness. The study concluded that sustained, multi-channel communication strategies, supported by community-based initiatives and inter-organizational collaboration, are crucial for improving advocacy reach and impact. It recommended strengthening partnerships among government agencies, NGOs, and the media to sustain awareness and behavioral change among Nigerian youths. Keywords: Awareness, Stand Against Rape (SAR) Campaign, Youths, Sexual Violence, Advocacy, Offa Community, Paradigm Initiatives.