Bystander Intervention and Image-Based Sexual Abuse: The Italian Case of Telegram Groups

• In Event: Cyberharassment & Victimization

Abstract

IBSA is a largely debated topic in the study of Internet cultures and among its many implications, it represents one of the main ways in which gender-based violence is currently perpetrated. Through a data scraping of the main 6 Italian Telegram groups where such phenomena take place, this ongoing research aims at analysing the messages exchanged among the members of these communities. A key part of the research is to analyse the interactions and how the men have created a community within which they empower and encourage each other. This behaviour can be traced back to a toxic masculinity and a patriarchal system, which spills over into the language used towards women, whose intimate images and personal details are daily shared; we also noticed that there is a high request of child pornography. Despite in many cases we have registered an attitude of solidarity towards other men, minimising their behaviour, we will deepen if instead there could be, five years after the enactment of the Italian law regulating image-based sexual abuse, a breeding ground for a bystander intervention, educating the society is recognizing a harmful situation and choosing to respond in a way that will positively influence the outcome.

Authors

• Edel Beckman, PermessoNegato APS

• Cosimo Sidoti, University of Kent