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Navigating the complex terrain of technology-facilitated gender-based violence

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Navigating the complex terrain of technology-facilitated gender-based violence

Svri Strat Design Assets 06
Award to Luise Koch award at the SVRI Forum

Reflections from a TFGBV Researcher at the SVRI Forum 2024

In October, I had the privilege of attending the SVRI Forum 2024 in Cape Town, a gathering that not only showcased groundbreaking research but also sparked important conversations on some of today’s most pressing issues. One topic that resonated deeply with me was Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV), an area I am passionate about both as a researcher and as an advocate for safer digital spaces, as I’ve seen how online violence can affect individuals’ participation in public life. In this piece, I’ll share some reflections on the sessions I attended, key takeaways, and the importance of continued global collaboration to address this evolving form of violence. 

Our digital spaces are only as safe as the commitment we make to protect those most vulnerable within them.
Luise Koch, TFGBV Researcher

Understanding Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence

As our lives become increasingly intertwined with digital technologies, so too have the risks of online abuse and harassment, disproportionately affecting women, girls, and marginalised groups (1,2,3). During the Forum, these critical issues were explored in several dedicated sessions and workshops, reflecting on the prevalence of online harms, their impact, and how researchers and practitioners alike can work to mitigate them. Jac sm Kee, researcher, tech activist and co-founder of the Numun Fund, set the scene in the opening plenary panel by stating that we need to ‘take back the tech’. This is a call to everyone, but especially women and girls, to take control of technology as a tool to end violence against women. 

In this sense, the workshop I attended, ‘Charting New Territories: Feminist Research on Digital Solutions,’ organised by Caroline Masboungi and Aisha Bain, was particularly eye-opening. We explored the ethics of collective care, discussing how feminist researchers navigate the delicate balance between conducting rigorous research and ensuring the safety and well-being of participants and themselves when trying to ‘take back the tech’. This nuanced approach reminded me of the importance of ethical considerations in studying and addressing TFGBV, as digital violence not only threatens physical and emotional well-being but also affects individuals’ social and professional lives (4). 

Luise Koch presenting her research at the SVRI Forum 2024.
Luise Koch presenting her research at the SVRI Forum 2024.

The Power of Measurement: New Approaches to Understanding Online Misogyny

The workshop “From Data to Action: Addressing TFGBV” explored how technology, while vital for accessing networks and opportunities, also creates new avenues for gender-based violence. Participants shared the challenges of measuring and addressing it. Through discussions, we explored steps for ethical data collection and accountability measures, underscoring the need for a global, multi-sectoral approach to keep pace with rapid technological change. 

I was honoured to present in the Methods and Measure section, where I discussed my research on measuring the prevalence and impact of online misogyny, particularly towards women in public spaces. My presentation focused on quantitative approaches to understanding the prevalence and impact of this violence, a crucial step in designing informed interventions. 

 As TFGBV often crosses borders, connecting with colleagues from other regions highlighted how different cultural and regional dynamics shape online violence. It reinforced the importance of context-specific research and the potential for global knowledge sharing. Several Poster presentations, such as the one from Sarah Bergman from the University of Melbourne on ‘Understanding experiences of TFGBV in Asia: Insights from key stakeholders’ or that from Hela Gueddana on ‘TFGBV in Tunisia: Prevalence, types, and impact on the quality of life and mental health of survivors’ provided invaluable perspectives and strengthened our collective capacity to address TFGBV globally.

 

Building a Supportive Community of Practice

Throughout the forum, I was inspired by the growth of a committed community addressing TFGBV. I encourage everyone interested to join the Community of Practice on TFGBV, led by Alexandra De Filippo, where researchers and advocates are coming together to drive progress in understanding and mitigating digital violence. These conversations serve as reminders of our shared commitment to creating safer digital spaces, where all individuals—regardless of gender—can engage without fear of harassment and abuse. 

Digital Group at the SVRI Forum
Digital Group at the SVRI Forum.

Reflections and the Path Forward

As I leave the SVRI Forum, I feel reinvigorated and inspired by the knowledge shared and connections made. As technology continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace, so too do the methods and forms of gender-based violence within digital spaces. From new social media platforms to emerging AI tools, each advancement presents both opportunities and risks. This dynamic landscape demands equally rapid and adaptive responses from researchers, policymakers, and advocates working to combat TFGBV.  

Discussions at the SVRI Forum underscored the urgency of staying ahead of these developments through innovative research, proactive policymaking, and the implementation of responsive, victim-centred solutions. Only by matching the speed of technological change with similarly agile interventions can we hope to create safer, more inclusive digital environments for women, girls and marginalised groups. 

As a result of this event, I am more motivated than ever to contribute to this vibrant community and to share the lessons learned. I am eager to stay connected with my colleagues and look forward to deepening our research and advocacy work together. 

A heartfelt thank you to the SVRI team, especially to Elizabeth Dartnall, for curating such an impactful forum. This experience was a powerful reminder that, together, we can work towards a digital world that upholds respect, equality, and safety for all. 

 

Feminist Research Panel for Digital Solutions on GBV.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This blog post was written by Luise Koch, a researcher at the Professorship for Global Health at TUM’s School of Social Sciences and Technology. Koch’s work explores gender studies, social media, and behavioural economics, with a focus on technology-facilitated gender-based violence and its impact on political representation. You can connect with her on LinkedIn or X.  

 

[1] Brody, N., & Vangelisti, A. L. (2017). Cyberbullying: Topics, strategies, and sex differences. Computers in Human Behavior, 75, 739–748. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.06.020
[2] Rheault, L., Rayment, E., & Musulan, A. (2019). Politicians in the line of fire: Incivility and the treatment of women on social media. Research & Politics, 6(1), 205316801881622. 
https://doi.org/10.1177/2053168018816228 
[3] Hinson, L., Mueller, J., O’Brien-Milne, L., & Wandera, N. (2018). Technology-Facilitated GBV: What is it, and How do we measure it? Available under:  https://www.icrw.org/publications/technology-facilitated-gender-based-violence-what-is-it-and-how-do-we-measure-it/ 
[4] Wagner, A. (2022). Tolerating the trolls? Gendered perceptions of online harassment of politicians in Canada. Feminist Media Studies22(1), 32–47. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680777.2020.1749691 

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