“If Something Ever Happened, I’d Have No One to Tell:” how online sexism perpetuates young women’s silence

Abstract

Scholars have shown that the overwhelming frequency and magnitude of overt sexism online leads women to adopt silence and retreat from discussing feminist issues to avoid further abuse. How do covert forms of sexism contribute to women’s silence? Through an analysis of interviews with 33 United States-based young women, I identify two forms of covert sexism which lead to silencing: demeaning comments about feminist issues from friends and family, and men’s manipulation. I then use the case of not disclosing sexual assault to show the broader implications of covert sexism online. Friends and family members contribute to the perceived costs of disclosure by dismissing feminist issues online and subsequently blaming women when they are manipulated by men. Sexism online thus facilitates women’s identification of whom they cannot trust to believe, defend, or protect them. This paper highlights the interplay between offline and online interactions as well as overt and covert forms of. sexism, which helps illuminate why silence becomes viewed as a viable strategy to avoid further mistreatment.