The session explored the lived realities of technology-facilitated gender-based violence among children, adolescents, and young adults. It unpacked issues of online harm, help-seeking, and innovative tools for prevention. Technology-facilitated gender-based violence is a form of gendered harm that is enabled or carried out through digital platforms. It is an evolving form of violence that has increased risks for women, girls, and marginalised communities (women and children of colour, LGBTQI, and people living with disabilities are the most targets). Examples of technology-facilitated gender-based violence include online harassment, impersonation, image-based abuse, hate speech, coordinated attacks, location tracking which is used to control and monitor others, etc.
This form of violence is a new form of violence that reflects patriarchy, economic inequality, and the failure of institutions to protect vulnerable people. Children and adolescents are increasingly online unsupervised, and they are exposed to online bullying.
It was shared that research and practice tell us that technology can be used to support safety, healing, and justice e.g. the AI-powered chatbot developed in Brazil.
Specific legal frameworks to technology-facilitated gender-based violence are still lacking in most low- and middle-income countries.
Two questions were posed by INERELA+ Executive Director. The first one was if there is any research on what works to prevent technology-facilitated gender-based violence as a public safety and human rights concern. Secondly in the countries with technology-facilitated GBV laws and policies, she asked if these been successfully enforced and how effective have, they been.
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