It’s Everyone’s Problem: Mainstreaming Responses to Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence

Abstract

<p>This report assesses the state of research on technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV), examining recent legislative, regulatory, and policy progress made globally. Through a case study exploring the online harassment of Australian eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, the report highlights the real-life effects of TFGBV for women in public life. The authors argue that TFGBV must be mainstreamed to be mitigated, centring women’s experiences in broader policy debates. Technology companies, governments, civic tech organisations, law enforcement, employers, schools, and others must mainstream their work to combat TFGBV to reflect its mainstreamed effects on society.</p>

<p>To this end, the authors recommend a number of practical solutions to the specific and pressing issues that women and girls face online today. Addressing the urgent changes described here will not only make women and girls safer and ensure their voices are heard, but also improve the safety and free expression for everyone who uses the internet, building more robust, representative democracies.</p>

<p><strong>The recommendations are presented under the following themes:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Ensuring platform accountability and action</li> <li>Urgently addressing deepfake image-based sexual abuse</li> <li>Supporting victims and survivors of TFGBV</li> <li>Deepening research and mainstreaming advocacy</li> </ul>