Online violence against women and girls (OVAWG) has emerged as a harrowing issue in the United Kingdom, with LGB+ women and young women aged 16 to 24 facing the highest rates of abuse, according to groundbreaking research conducted by The Open University. This extensive study, involving 7,500 participants from across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, marks the largest-ever exploration into societal attitudes and experiences of online violence against women and girls in the UK.
Scotland’s Troubling Lead: The research revealed that women and girls in Scotland were more likely to have witnessed online violence (35%) compared to their counterparts in England (30%), Wales, and Northern Ireland (27%). Furthermore, women in Scotland and Wales were found to be the most likely to have personally experienced online violence (17%).
Alarming Trends: Shockingly, more than one in ten women in England reported experiencing online violence, with a more alarming 25% among women aged 16 to 24 and 35% among LGB+ women. Worryingly, 13% of those who experienced online violence reported that it escalated to real-world violence.
Anonymity and Misogyny: Researchers identified anonymity (49%), the perceived ease of getting away with it (47%), and misogyny (43%) as the top reasons behind online violence against women and girls. Gender divides were also evident, with men being less supportive of making online violence a criminal offense and more likely to perceive it as a limitation to their freedom of expression.
Ineffective Reporting: The study highlighted a lack of confidence among women in reporting online abuse to authorities, with women turning to friends and family rather than the police for support. Additionally, a significant percentage of women were dissatisfied with the police’s handling of reported online violence.
The Call for Action: Experts and advocates are calling for stringent measures to address this pressing issue. Professor Lynne Gabriel, the president of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), emphasized the need for effective regulation in the Online Safety Bill and urged the government to enforce robust guidelines to combat online violence against women and girls.
This research serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to combat online violence and protect women and girls in the digital age, underscoring the challenges that marginalized communities, including LGBTQ individuals, face in their online interactions. The findings of this study call for decisive actions from policymakers and society at large to create a safer online environment for all.
