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

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

European Journal of Criminology

Volume

17

Issue

2

Publisher

Sage

School

School of Arts and Humanities / Sellenger Centre

RAS ID

45351

Funders

Australian Government through the Australian Research Council’s ‘Discovery Projects’ funding scheme

Grant Number

ARC Number : DP130103094

Comments

Powell, A., Scott, A. J., & Henry, N. (2020). Digital harassment and abuse: Experiences of sexuality and gender minority adults. European Journal of Criminology, 17(2), 199-223. https://doi.org/10.1177/1477370818788006

Abstract

Digital harassment and abuse refers to a range of harmful, interpersonal behaviours experienced via the internet, as well as via mobile phone and other electronic communication devices. Whereas 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 2956 Australian adults and 2842 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 experience higher rates of digital harassment and abuse overall, and higher rates of sexual, sexuality and gender based harassment and abuse, as compared with heterosexual cisgender individuals. Implications of the findings are discussed with respect to policy, prevention, and future research.

DOI

10.1177/1477370818788006

Access Rights

free_to_read

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