A Situated Approach to Online Gender-Based Violence and Ways to Counter Them

Abstract

In this article, we aim to approach online gender-based violence to promote free and secure digital relationships for all, from our Catalan-Spanish context, with an international interest. We combined a systematic review of 33 articles included in Web of Science and a traditional review derived from our work with Donestech. We included academic and institutional and feminist-activist publications. Most aggressors are still cis-hetero-patriarchal men, mostly the victims’ acquaintances and mainly partners and ex-partners. Their violence ranges from sexual insults and threats to sexual aggressions or high-tech violence. Despite the severity of online gender-based violence, commitment and actions to eradicate them are seriously deficient. However, some women, LGBTIQ* people, and feminisms have activated self-defence strategies to counter them, related to (self) care and online feminist struggle.