Women and girls have the right to freedom of expression both online and offline and should never have to log off or ignore trolls to avoid online abuse.
As the world has moved into a digitized society which increased during the pandemic, it’s no longer an option for women to withdraw or avoid online communication as work, commerce and home activities all require online capacity.
While there are many advantages to the digital world with women harnessing the power of social media with campaigns such as #MeToo to get their voices heard, there is also the risk of harmful online acts and speech. These have a far-reaching impact for victims of online abuse, including emotional, psychological, reputational and financial implications.
Minerva - A New Reporting Platform
To counteract online abuse and harms, SWGfL is developing Minerva as a central platform and bespoke AI tool to assist those experiencing online abuse. This ground-breaking hub will enable victims to access a host of resources and knowledge to take back control, as well as linking behaviours by perpetrators of online abuse and harms.
SWGfL has a number of helplines to assist victims of online abuse including The Revenge Porn Helpline which is the only service of its kind in the UK to help victims of intimate image abuse.
Speaking about Minerva, Revenge Porn Helpline manager, Sophie Mortimer said
Abuse, harassment and trolling pushes women out of online spaces, limiting their opportunities to engage in the general discourse as freely as men. Fears for our physical, emotional and mental wellbeing must not be allowed to silence women and we are looking to new technologies to protect women online and see their abusers are stopped in their tracks.
Research Findings
In this regard, SWGfL commissioned research by the University of Suffolk to research and evaluate Minerva. It took place from March to mid-July 2022 and reflects the needs and concerns of all key stakeholders, from victims to VAWG (Violence Against Women and Girls) professionals.
This included in-depth interviews with online abuse victims on reporting and finding help, surveys with women who had lived experience of online abuse, as well as professionals who work in the VAWG sector, particularly against technology facilitated abuse (TFA).
Impact on Freedom of Expression
Regarding the behavioural impacts of online abuse and/or TFVAWG, participants reported limiting their use of online spaces and communication:
- With more than half of participants (55.9%) stopping or reducing online interactions
- 47.5% stopping or reducing their use of social media
- 39% expressing themselves less online
- There was also a substantial impact on some participants’ offline interactions and relationships, with 32.2% reporting that they expressed themselves less in real life
- 24.6% isolating themselves from family and friends.
They also reported feeling isolated (37.6%), losing confidence (57.3%) or bullied (34.3%), as well as a loss of trust in people and other social impacts, such as worry over the safety of their children.
The changes in behaviour by victims as a result of online abuse also revealed several associations:
- Threats or blackmail was associated with self-isolation.
- Image-based abuse saw the victim expressing themselves less online.
- Unwanted pornographic or violent content also saw the victim putting less photos or media online.
- Cyberstalking was also associated to putting less photos and content online.
- Online public shaming was related to self-isolation and expressing themselves less in real life, reducing online interaction and stopping attending online events.
The report stated, ‘This chilling effect on women’s expression and ability to access to public spaces underlines the “silencing effect” of online abuse and TFVAWG and emphasises that its harmful effects extend far beyond offence.’
To find out more about Minerva, why it is being developed and how it will provide vital support to victims; visit the Minerva page.
