‘Taking on the World: Tackling Gender-Based Violence in the Online Space’

Susan Watson

‘Taking on the World: Tackling Gender-Based Violence in the Online Space’

Social Policy and Social Work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Abstract

Gendered online abuse communicated via social networking sites is a global issue. This study investigates the online abuse received by women serving in academia, journalism, policing, and politics in the UK, USA and EU. It reveals that online abuse consists of seven elements: defamation, emotional harm, harassment, threat, belittlement, silencing, and criticism of appearance. Online abuse is misogynistic, frequently includes violent threats, and dismisses women’s contributions to online discussions. The study also reveals that the abuse directed at women varies by occupation, with police officers most likely to receive abuse that denigrates their ability or appearance; politicians and journalists more likely to receive violent threats, and academics receiving both. The paper concludes by considering how different countries are responding to the issue of online abuse through changes to regulation and legislation.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Papers from the British Criminology Conference
Subtitle of host publication	2023 Conference (27 – 30 June 2023) Sustaining Futures: Remaking Criminology in an age of Global Injustice Hosted by the University of Central Lancashire
Editors	Marian Duggan
Publisher	British Society of Criminology / University of Brighton
Pages	8-23
Number of pages	16
Volume	22
Publication status	Published - 1 Jan 2024

Publication series

Name	Papers from the British Criminology Conference
ISSN (Electronic)	1759-0043

Bibliographical note

Susan Watson is Lecturer in Criminal Justice and Social Policy in the School for Business and Society at the University of York. Her current research focus is on the role of online abuse in gender-based violence, investigating the impact of abusive behaviour executed via new technology.

Keywords

Online abuse
Technology facilitated gendered violence
Misogyny
Public sphere
Social media

Access to Document

https://www.britsoccrim.org/pbcc/

Cite this

Watson, S. (2024). ‘Taking on the World: Tackling Gender-Based Violence in the Online Space’. In M. Duggan (Ed.), Papers from the British Criminology Conference: 2023 Conference (27 – 30 June 2023) Sustaining Futures: Remaking Criminology in an age of Global Injustice Hosted by the University of Central Lancashire (Vol. 22, pp. 8-23). Article 1 (Papers from the British Criminology Conference). British Society of Criminology / University of Brighton. https://www.britsoccrim.org/pbcc/

Watson, Susan. / ‘Taking on the World: Tackling Gender-Based Violence in the Online Space’. Papers from the British Criminology Conference: 2023 Conference (27 – 30 June 2023) Sustaining Futures: Remaking Criminology in an age of Global Injustice Hosted by the University of Central Lancashire. editor / Marian Duggan. Vol. 22 British Society of Criminology / University of Brighton, 2024. pp. 8-23 (Papers from the British Criminology Conference).

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abstract = "Gendered online abuse communicated via social networking sites is a global issue. This study investigates the online abuse received by women serving in academia, journalism, policing, and politics in the UK, USA and EU. It reveals that online abuse consists of seven elements: defamation, emotional harm, harassment, threat, belittlement, silencing, and criticism of appearance. Online abuse is misogynistic, frequently includes violent threats, and dismisses women{\textquoteright}s contributions to online discussions. The study also reveals that the abuse directed at women varies by occupation, with police officers most likely to receive abuse that denigrates their ability or appearance; politicians and journalists more likely to receive violent threats, and academics receiving both. The paper concludes by considering how different countries are responding to the issue of online abuse through changes to regulation and legislation. ",

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Watson, S 2024, ‘Taking on the World: Tackling Gender-Based Violence in the Online Space’. in M Duggan (ed.), Papers from the British Criminology Conference: 2023 Conference (27 – 30 June 2023) Sustaining Futures: Remaking Criminology in an age of Global Injustice Hosted by the University of Central Lancashire. vol. 22, 1, Papers from the British Criminology Conference, British Society of Criminology / University of Brighton, pp. 8-23. <https://www.britsoccrim.org/pbcc/>

‘Taking on the World: Tackling Gender-Based Violence in the Online Space’. / Watson, Susan.
Papers from the British Criminology Conference: 2023 Conference (27 – 30 June 2023) Sustaining Futures: Remaking Criminology in an age of Global Injustice Hosted by the University of Central Lancashire. ed. / Marian Duggan. Vol. 22 British Society of Criminology / University of Brighton, 2024. p. 8-23 1 (Papers from the British Criminology Conference).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

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Watson S. ‘Taking on the World: Tackling Gender-Based Violence in the Online Space’. In Duggan M, editor, Papers from the British Criminology Conference: 2023 Conference (27 – 30 June 2023) Sustaining Futures: Remaking Criminology in an age of Global Injustice Hosted by the University of Central Lancashire. Vol. 22. British Society of Criminology / University of Brighton. 2024. p. 8-23. 1. (Papers from the British Criminology Conference).