The role of gender in victimisation of digital domestic violence

• In Event: Technology-Facilitated Violence: Harms, Attitudes and Victimisation Experiences

Abstract

The development of digital media use has influenced the dynamics of domestic violence, with social media and other online channels playing a prominent role. A 2024 Belgian prevalence study (N= 3093, aged 18 to 65 years) investigated the role of digitalisation in various forms of violence across three key phases of intimate relationships: development, maintenance, and dissolution. This survey-study distinguished six broad types of digital domestic violence: online dating violence (1), digital harassment (2), digital surveillance (3), digital sexual violence (4), digital economic violence (5), and children’s involvement in digital domestic violence (6). At least one in four Belgian adults has encountered at least one of these six types of digital domestic violence. This study also examined gender differences in digital domestic violence. The results indicate that men are significantly more likely to experience online dating violence, digital surveillance, digital sexual violence, digital economic violence, and the involvement of children in domestic violence. A similar trend was observed in specific cases of digital harassment. These findings challenge previous research, which either reported higher victimisation rates among women or found no significant gender differences. Several factors may explain this study’s findings and their divergence from existing literature. First, while men generally report higher overall victimisation rates in digital domestic violence, a closer examination of specific survey items suggests that gender differences vary depending on the particular aspects of each broad form of digital domestic violence. Second, methodological factors - such as survey design, question phrasing, and sample composition- may influence the observed gender disparities. This study underscores the need for a nuanced understanding of digital domestic violence, considering both the complexity of victimisation experiences and the methodological frameworks used to assess them.

Authors

• Michel Walrave, University of Antwerp

• Wim Hardyns, Ghent University, Department of Criminology, Criminal Law and Social Law

• Koen Ponnet, imec-mict, Department of Communication Sciences, Ghent University

• Catherine Van de Heyning, University of Antwerp

• Mona Giacometti, University of Antwerp

• Aurelie Gilen, University of Antwerp