INFLUENCE OF SOCIAL MEDIA AWARENESS AND REPORTING ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN CALABAR MUNICIPALITY

The main objective of this study was to investigate the influence of social media awareness and reporting on domestic violence in Calabar Municipality. The study was anchored on Muted Group Theory and Family Systems Theory. A survey research method was adopted while questionnaire was the primary instrument of data collection. The random sampling technique was used to select the respondents for the study. The data collected were analyzed using the simple percentage arithmetic method, while the data were presented with the aid of tables. The study finds out that social media reportage plays a key role in curbing domestic violence in Calabar Municipality. Although, many of the respondents acknowledged that the use of social media in raising awareness of and reporting domestic abuse is high, most of the respondents were of the opinion that sharing of domestic abuse via social media could lead to victims becoming socially avoidant. The study recommended that campaigns should be developed by NGOs and the government to encourage victims of domestic abuse to report same on social media platforms, which will result in the prosecution of those responsible.