Unseen Threats? Combating Digital and Online Violence Against Girls
摘要
Digital violence is increasingly recognized by regulators, legislators, and policymakers as a societal challenge, and is now acknowledged as a significant barrier to full participation in digital societies. However, the nuanced form of digital violence affecting girls requires specific consideration. While cyberbullying and sexually motivated online violence are well-documented, they often overshadow deeper injustices, and the specific harms faced by young women and girls with intersectional identities who face unique challenges, often have very different experiences to those of adult women. This chapter explores the specific nature of digital violence against young women and girls (DVAG), emphasising the often-unseen nature, harm and impact of such violence while acknowledging that OVAW will include DVAG. It discusses international responses, identifying gaps in those responses, before discussing implications for girls and digital violence more generally. This discussion outlines the need for bespoke interventions and responses, and a commitment to safeguarding girls in digital spaces.