Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence: A Mixed-Methods Study of Practitioners in Pacific Island Countries

Abstract

Scholars and practitioners are becoming increasingly aware of technologies being used to facilitate gender-based violence, yet little empirical research has explored this issue within the Pacific context. This article reports on a study of practitioners working across nine Pacific Island countries. While the rates and types of victimization experiences are not dissimilar to other countries, practitioners perceived that cultural and religious norms, gender roles, and societal expectations hinder victim-survivors from seeking help, disclosing, or reporting technology-facilitated gender-based violence. We argue that social and cultural contexts are key in understanding technology-facilitated gender-based violence, and developing prevention, response, and support measures.