Social Media and Women’s Culture of Silence on Sexual Violence: Perception of Babcock University’s Female Undergraduates

Abimifoluwa Glory Anjorin,Mofoluke Ibidunni Akoja

doi:10.21039/cca.32

Abstract

The study examines the perception of female undergraduates’ about the role of social media in breaking women’s culture of silence on sexual violence. Violence against women is a subject of concern due to its prevalence and the culture of silence associated with it. Involvement of social media groups appears to be changing this trend as women are supported to speak out. The study examines some social media platforms involved in this campaign, how they contribute to knowledge of females and shape their attitude to information on sexual violence on social media as well as their perception of the effectiveness of the social media in the campaign against sexual violence among women. Anchored on two theories - agenda setting and the spiral of silence, the study through a descriptive survey, sampled the perception of 370 female undergraduates of Babcock University. Responses derived from a questionnaire were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Students were moderately exposed to campaigns on sexual violence (Mean= 3.32, SD=1.49), just as majority have a positive perception of the social media’s role in breaking the culture of silence on sexual violence (x= 5.00, SD=0.00). The need to intensify efforts in reaching more females especially those who still have limited knowledge and tend to be silent was underscored.

Highlights

Sexual violence is a global menace affecting females regardless of their age, social status, religion, education or race
How effective are these campaigns in terms of the level of awareness they generate, the knowledge imparted, even attitudes shaped by exposure to the messages. It is worth examining how the vulnerable population, exemplified by female undergraduates, see the role of the social media in this cause. It is against this background that the study examines the extent to which the involvement of social media has improved knowledge, attitude and perception of undergraduate females on sexual violence in order to break the culture of silence
Research Question 1: Through what social media platforms are female undergraduates informed of sexual violence?

Summary

Introduction

Sexual violence is a global menace affecting females regardless of their age, social status, religion, education or race. From the reactions that followed on social media and other news platforms, this is a common problem that had plagued educational institutions for many years, yet it did not abate for several reasons One of these is the fact that female students who had been violated are often likely to be silent as a result of the shock experienced, and in most cases because the inflictor of violence (usually a lecturer) had threatened to deal with them if they dared to speak up. These developments underscore the power of the media to create awareness, provide support and facilitate changing attitudes to sexual harassment These changes are evident in people other than vulnerable female undergraduates; other members of the society in general are changing too. It is against this background that the study examines the extent to which the involvement of social media has improved knowledge, attitude and perception of undergraduate females on sexual violence in order to break the culture of silence

Objectives of the study

Findings

Conclusion and recommendations