ASSESSING THE ROLE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS IN COMBATING SEXUAL VIOLENCE ON WOMEN: A STUDY OF THE BENUE STATE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AFFAIRS

This study, "Assessing the Role of Public Relations in Combating Sexual Violence on Women: A Study of the Benue State Ministry of Women Affairs", sought to assess the role of public relations in combating sexual violence on women by the Benue State Ministry of Women Affairs. The study was anchored on the Two-Way Symmetric Model. The study adopted the survey research design and interviews method. The questionnaire and interviews guide served as instruments of data collection. Findings in the study revealed that the Benue State Ministry of Women Affairs uses a combination of public relations strategies, with a focus on community sensitisation through town hall meetings, two-way communication involving victims, and collaborations with NGOs and CSOs. The study also found that the public relations strategies employed by the Benue State Ministry of Women Affairs have contributed to combating sexual violence against women. These strategies have increased public knowledge, empowered victims to speak up, and improved collaboration between key stakeholders. Lastly, the study found that the challenges facing the Benue State Ministry of Women Affairs in applying public relations strategies to combat sexual violence against women are bureaucratic delays, language barriers, and public distrust in government initiatives are the most notable obstacles. The study concluded that the Benue State Ministry of Women Affairs employs a variety of public relations strategies to combat sexual violence against women. These include community sensitisation through town hall meetings, two-way communication approach with victims, and collaborating with non-governmental and civil society organisations. The use of public relations by the Ministry has contributed meaningfully to the fight against sexual violence in Benue State as there is evidence of increased public knowledge on the issue, greater empowerment of victims to speak out, and enhanced collaboration among key stakeholders. Nonetheless, the Ministry faces obstacles such as bureaucratic delays, language barriers in multi-lingual communities, and public distrust of government initiatives. The study recommended among other things that, the Ministry should address key challenges by streamlining bureaucratic processes, using local languages in campaigns, and building public trust through transparency and accountability.