What is cyberviolence?
Cyberviolence is carried out through technological devices (geolocation, instant messaging, social networks, etc.). It involves behaviours aimed at humiliating, insulting, hurting, monitoring, or pressuring another person2 . Cyberviolence reported among those aged 10 to 17 has doubled in the past 10 years. Indeed, has increased from about 5% to 10% between 2000 and 2010. The victims of cyberviolence are predominantly girls, accounting for nearly 7 out of 10 victims3 . As is the case with Justine, cyberviolence is often experienced in the context of intimate relationships, affecting between one-fifth and half of adolescents and young adults4 5 .
Different forms of cyberviolence exist, the most common include:
| Cybersexism | Form of sexist and sexual violence related to gender6 ,7 . It mainly targets women and is manifested through actions or words of a sexual nature aimed at criticizing clothing, appearance, and sexual and romantic behaviors6 . |
| Cyberbullying or cyberharassment | Repeated acts of cyberviolence that persist over a long period2 . Cyberbullying can be characterized by repeatedly sending hateful messages7 . |
| Revenge porn | Non-consensual sharing of intimate images aimed at causing harm or humiliating the victim. Former romantic partners are the main perpetrators, as they often seek revenge following a breakup1 . |
| Outing | Public disclosure of intimate or confidential information about a victim7 , for example, their sexual orientation, the identity of sexual partners, etc. |
| Cyberhate | Cyberviolence that targets victims' identities such as sexual orientation, gender, ethnicity, etc.2 . Other people who share the same identity as the intended victim can also be hurt by cyberhate. |
Cyberviolence, a gendered issue
Awareness-raising initiatives on cyberviolence mainly target the prevention of female victimization8 . This may be because girls and women are more likely to be victims of cyberviolence8 and to report psychological distress9 . However, cyberviolence also affects boys10 . As few awareness-raising initiatives target boys, they are often less equipped to deal with cyberviolence, are more at risk of experiencing depressive symptoms and are less likely to seek help10 . Although the consequences for trans and non-binary people are less known, it's likely that they too are victims, and face additional challenges.
Online cyberviolence, consequences in 3D
Even if this type of violence occurs virtually, the victims and the consequences are real. Indeed, adolescent, or young adult survivors experience specific issues that are different from victims of harassment that occurs offline, affecting different spheres of their lives, both public and private11 . This is worrisome, considering that victims are more likely to be subject to violent acts online because of the anonymity of the aggressors, who are camouflaged behind the screen10 .
Certain consequences of cyberviolence are observed3 :
| In the survivor2 ,12 ,13 | In the perpetrator13 | In both parties13 |
| * Feelings of shame * Difficulty concentrating * Psychological distress, post-traumatic stress disorder * Sleep disturbances * Eating disorders * Self-harm * Substance abuse * School dropout * Difficulty trusting others * Social integration difficulties * Diminished sense of belonging |
* Aggressiveness * Asocial behaviour |
* Impacted social skills (more difficult relationships) * Isolation |
What to do in the face of cyberviolence?
As a preventive measure
It is important to think about what we share on the internet. Other people can reshare or save this content. It is relevant to ask yourself the following questions:
- Does my post allow me or someone else to be identified? Is it possible, even without it being my intention, that a third party could use this information to harm the other person?
- Even if I am currently comfortable with this content being published, could I potentially become uncomfortable with it someday?
- If I send intimate photos of myself, could I be recognized by my face, tattoos, or other specific features?
- Do the contents I plan to share contain sensitive information (birthdate, full name, etc.)?
If I answered yes to any of these questions, it's better to reconsider my publication.
As an active bystander
It is important to speak out against cyberviolence, report problematic posts, and avoid participating in their spread. Interacting online can pose certain risks. Keeping this in mind is essential to promote a positive virtual environment.
As a survivor
If you are a victim of cyberviolence, it is relevant to cut off contact with the aggressor and seek help (see resources below). By seeking help, the victim is supported and increases their empowerment.
As a potential perpetrator
To consider the impact of what we post or our online interactions, it is relevant to ask yourself the following questions: How would I feel if it were about me? What needs am I trying to fulfill by engaging in acts of cyberviolence? How can I educate myself about the phenomenon of cyberviolence and its consequences? Online interactions that are disrespectful, violent, and/or shared without the consent of the person involved should be avoided.
Fortunately, cyberviolence is gaining visibility in public discourse through initiatives like the Stop cyberviolence campaign, UNI.E.S contre les cyberviolences (French only) by the Laboratory for Studies on Violence and Sexuality, and the documentary Backlash: Misogyny in the Digital Age. However, it remains relevant to continue raising awareness among teenagers and young adults, equipping them to confront cyberviolence and encouraging cyberviolence disclosure. The most important thing is not to remain isolated and not to trivialize the consequences of cyberviolence.
Helpful resources
- NEEDHELPNOW.CA
- NeedHelpNow.ca helps remove intimate photos online, offers support and legal information for victims of cyberviolence and their loved ones.
- Cybertip and the arachnid project:
- Cybertip provides information about child sexual abuse and internet dangers, allowing for the anonymous reporting of a situation involving sexual exploitation.
- The Arachnid Project automatically sends requests for the removal of harmful content to the hosts of these images. This reduces the presence of victims' photos online. You can contact them for assistance.
- Tel-jeunes: Telephone: 1-800-263-2266 – Text: 514-600-1002
- Tel-jeunes lets you talk to counsellors by text message, telephone, or chat on a variety of subjects, including cyberviolence. You can chat with other young people via a forum or consult articles, including one on the threat of publishing intimate photos.
- Kids help phone: Telephone: 1 800 668-6868 – Text: text CONNECT to 686868
- Kids help phone allows you to discuss distressing situations by phone, text or chat. The platform also offers a support forum.
This blog post was originally written as part of the Sexual and interpersonal victimization course taught by Arianne Jean-Thorn at UQAM's sexology department in Fall 2022. The publication of this article was made possible thanks to our partner, the Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Intimate Relationship Problems and Sexual Abuse (CRIPCAS), and the Fonds de recherche du Québec.
- 2 a b c d Blaya, C. (2020). Cyberviolence, cyberharcèlement et cyberhaine : Conséquences et facteurs de protection. Le journal des psychologues, 382, 38-43. https://doi.org/10.3917/jdp.382.0038
- 3 a b Peterson, J., & Densley, J. (2017). Cyber violence: What do we know and where do we go from here? Aggression and Violent Behavior, 34, 193-200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.avb.2017.01.012
- 4Laboratoire d’études sur la violence et la sexualité. (2022). Garder l’espoir après des situations de cyberviolences. [capsule vidéo]. Projet cyber. https://mylenefernet.uqam.ca/projet-cyber/
- 5Institut national de santé publique du Québec (2023). Cyberviolence dans les relations intimes. Gouvernement du Québec. https://www.inspq.qc.ca/violence-conjugale/comprendre/cyberviolences-da…
- 6 a b Centre Hubertine Auclert. (2016). Synthèse de l’étude : Le cybersexisme chez les adolescente·s (12-15 ans): Étude sociologique dans les établissements franciliens de la 5e à la 2nde. Centre Hubertine Auclert. https://www.centre-hubertine-auclert.fr/etude-cybersexisme
- 7 a b c Tordo, F. (2020). Cyberviolence et cyberharcèlement. Une violence fantasmatique pour l’agresseur, une violence traumatique pour la victime. Neuropsychiatrie de l’Enfance et de l'adolescence, 68(4), 185-189. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neurenf.2020.03.006
- 1Short, E., Brown, A., Pitchford, M., et Barnes, J. (2017). Revenge porn: Findings from the harassment and revenge porn (HARP) survey–preliminary results. Annual Review of CyberTherapy and Telemedicine, 15, 161-166.
- 8 a b Fernet, M., Lapierre, A., Hébert, M., et Cousineau, M.-M. (2019). A systematic review of literature on cyber intimate partner victimization in adolescent girls and women. Computers in Human Behavior, 100, 11-25. doi: 10.1016/j.chb.2019.06.005
- 9Lagüe Maltais, F. (2021) Les technologies de l’information et de la communication utilisées en contexte de violence conjugale : une analyse des liens entre les cyberviolences vécues, les stratégies d’adaptation et la détresse psychologique. Mémoire de maîtrise, Université de Montréal Département de criminologie
- 10 a b c Niang, P., et Nagem, R. (2018). Les cyberviolences genrées, sexistes et sexuelles chez les jeunes. Terminal, 123. https://doi.org/10.4000/terminal.3178
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- 12Goebert, D., Else, I., Matsu, C., Chung-Do, J., et Chang, J. Y. (2011). The impact of cyberbullying on substance use and mental health in a multiethnic Sample. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 15, 1282-1286. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-010-0672-x
- 13 a b c Kibuszewski, V., Fontaine, R., Huré, K., et Rusch, E. (2013). Le cyber-bullying à l’adolescence : Problèmes psycho-sociaux associés et spécificités par rapport au bullying scolaire. L'Encéphale, 39(2), 77-84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.encep.2012.01.008
