Digital harassment and abuse: Experiences of sexuality and gender minority adults

Powell, Anastasia; Scott, Adrian J. and Henry, Nicola. 2020. Digital harassment and abuse: Experiences of sexuality and gender minority adults. European Journal of Criminology, 17(2), pp. 199-223. ISSN 1477-3708 [Article]

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Abstract or Description

Digital harassment and abuse refers to a range of harmful, interpersonal behaviours experienced via the internet, as well as mobile phone and other electronic communication devices. While much existing research has focused on the experiences of children and young people (including foremost ‘cyberbullying’), there have been few international studies on adult experiences of digital harassment and abuse. As such, little is currently known about the extent, nature and impacts of digital harassment and abuse on adult victims. In particular, there exists a significant gap in current research into sexual, sexuality and gender based digital harassment and abuse. This article draws on findings from a larger research project in which we surveyed 2,956 Australian adults and 2,842 British adults (aged 18 to 54) about their experiences of technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV). The data presented here focus on the experiences of sexuality diverse adults (n = 282) who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual or heterosexual, as well as gender diverse adults (n = 90), including women, men and transgender individuals. Results suggest that transgender individuals experienced higher rates of digital harassment and abuse overall, and higher rates of sexual, sexuality and gender-based harassment and abuse, as compared to heterosexual cisgender individuals. Implications of the findings are discussed with respect to policy, prevention, and future research.

Item Type:

Article

Identification Number (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1177/1477370818788006

Keywords:

digital criminology, hate speech, sexual harassment, sexuality, transgender

Departments, Centres and Research Units:

Psychology > Forensic Psychology Unit

Dates:

DateEvent
14 May 2018Accepted
30 July 2018Published Online
1 March 2020Published

Item ID:

23639

Date Deposited:

02 Jul 2018 10:46

Last Modified:

12 May 2022 15:49

Peer Reviewed:

Yes, this version has been peer-reviewed.

URI:

https://research.gold.ac.uk/id/eprint/23639

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