It’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on 25 November, and this year the focus is ending digital violence.
Online spaces should be safe, but often they are not. From harassment and stalking to image-based abuse and AI-generated deepfakes, technology is increasingly being used as a tool for harm.
At our What is Sexual Exploitation (WiSE) project, we see how digital harm intersects with exploitation and grooming. Young people can be particularly vulnerable, and professionals need the tools to respond effectively. We are receiving referrals for children of all ages, increasingly for those affected by abuse online. That’s why our work emphasises early intervention, education and empowering young people to disclose when things aren’t right.
This VAWG Day, we stand with the UN’s call to end online abuse. Here’s what we can all do:
- Raise awareness about digital violence and its impact
- Challenge harmful norms that normalise abuse online. For example, don’t reshare that misogynistic meme. Report inappropriate posts
- Support young people by offering an empathetic ear
- Advocate for accountability from tech platforms and stronger protections in law.
The online space is an integral part of modern life so we need to find ways to mitigate the harms whilst still enjoying the benefits of the internet. For families, we recommend upskilling yourself to be aware of the different platforms your young person is using. Model safe and healthy screen use. Have open and compassionate conversations with your young person so that they can open up to you if things go wrong.
WiSE has recently joined in partnership with CEAR (Cyberpsychiatry Education Awareness Research) to develop evidence-based training programmes for professionals, as we see this as one of the biggest gaps in professional knowledge across youth services.
Violence against women and girls, whether offline or online, is a matter that affects everyone. Together, we can make digital spaces safer and support those most at risk.
