Perpetration and Victimization of Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence in Young Adults in the Philippines

Abstract

Technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV) has become a significant problem among adolescents and young adults worldwide, yet existing literature concentrates on its manifestations in the Global North. Surveying 280 Filipino college students, our research aims to expand the horizon of TFSV research and investigate the phenomenon in the Philippines. Specifically, we explore the prevalence and risk factors of two notable TFSV behaviors: unwanted sexting (sharing one’s [own] sexual materials without the recipient’s consent) and non-consensual pornography (sharing someone else’s sexual materials without their consent). We report that nearly one in four Filipino young adults has sent unsolicited sexts to others, and one in ten has posted others’ private information and images on pornographic websites. Results reveal a high victim-offender overlap, with men and those experiencing TFSV being significantly more likely to have also engaged in TFSV. We recommend that the Philippine government and authorities raise awareness of the issue and encourage formal legal and informal intervention tactics through the Philippine local government units (LGUs) or neighborhood governance units (barangays) to combat TFSV.