Understanding and addressing technology-facilitated gender-based violence is a complex challenge that faces multiple barriers, especially in identifying and analyzing perpetrators. Research by the World Wide Web Foundation and member organizations of Women's Rights Online (WRO), including TEDIC, highlights several key obstacles in this area:
Lack of methodologies and information
A key problem is the absence of standardized definitions and tools, which makes it difficult to effectively compare TFGVB behaviors and tactics in different contexts. Additionally, the lack of detailed data on perpetrators, such as their demographics, motivations and behavioral patterns, limits the understanding of this phenomenon. Most of the information is in English, restricting the training of monitoring models that include different languages and platforms. The digital divide and lack of research on violence against specific social groups, such as LGBTQIA+ people, further complicate data collection.
Challenges in identifying and understanding perpetrators
The profiles of perpetrators of TFGBV are diverse and complex.They include not only individuals, but also groups, State actors and other entities, such as the technology platforms themselves. Whether for ideological, economic, or cultural reasons, the motivations of these perpetrators are often hidden and require deeper understanding. The relationship between socioeconomic and cultural factors —like unemployment or norms of masculinity—and TFGBV also needs further exploration.
Lack of accountability and effective action
Impunity for perpetrators remains a significant challenge, exacerbated by the ineffectiveness of justice systems in identifying and prosecuting them. This issue is further compounded by the inaction of technology platforms, which frequently fail to implement effective measures against online violence. Additionally, the platforms’ limited transparency regarding data access hinders the development of concrete research and solutions.
Need for comprehensive and multidisciplinary approaches
To effectively address TFGBV, it is crucial to understand both online and offline behaviors, as they are interconnected. This requires collaboration among governments, technology companies, civil society organizations and other stakeholders. It is also critical to research how to implement effective strategies for behavior change to influence perpetrators.
Minors as perpetrators
The lack of data on minors committing TFGBV limits the understanding of how cyberbullying affects this group and what interventions are needed. The connection between online and offline behaviors in minors also needs further research in order to develop appropriate prevention and support measures.
How do we identify perpetrators?
Online and ICT-facilitated gender-based violence affects women in diverse ways, and from an intersectional perspective, certain groups face particularly high risk. Women from marginalized communities—such as racialized women, LGTBIQA+ individuals, migrants, and women with disabilities—often face disproportionate attacks on digital platforms, where multiple forms of discrimination converge. Additionally, young women and feminist activists who engage in public visibility spaces are frequent targets of harassment and threats due to their roles and opinions. This intersectional perspective is essential for understanding how identity factors intertwine to heighten vulnerability to digital violence, highlighting the need for specific and inclusive responses in the protection and support of these groups.
To define the types of aggressors, a list was designed based specifically on ABRAJI's proposal regarding violence against women journalists, UN Women's research on violence against women politicians (ONU Mujeres, 2021), and research on digital violence against women journalists (Acuña and Sequera, 2023).
The following list is not exhaustive but captures a wide variety of types of aggressors or perpetrators of technology-facilitated gender-based violence that women and diverse groups face:
