Communities and Social Media

Virtual support communities: supporting survivors of sexual assault

Acknowledgement of Country
I wish to acknowledge the traditional owners, the Boon Wurrung/Bunurong people of the Kulin nation, as custodians of the land on which I sit (Phillip Island, Victoria). And as a student of Curtin University, I acknowledge the traditional owners, the Wadjuk people of the Nyungar Nation on which the Bentley Campus sits, and the Wongutha people of the North-Eastern Goldfields, where the Kalgoorlie Campus is located. I pay my respects to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of these communities and to their elders past, present and emerging.

Warning This paper contains content about sexual assault that may be upsetting for some readers. Please use discretion.

Abstract
This paper examines how virtual support communities that use and exist on social media platforms have the potential to have a positive impact on the well-being of sexual assault survivors. Traditional support services present barriers that prevent survivors from seeking support. By harnessing the affordances of social media to create individualised networked communities, survivors gain anonymous low-cost peer support and controlled virtual spaces for belonging, self-disclosure, being heard and justice.


Keywords: community, social media, virtual support communities, sexual assault, survivors, self-disclosure

Introduction
Virtual support communities (VSCs) have the potential to have a positive impact on the emotional well-being of survivors of sexual assault. Digital technologies and the affordances provided by social media platforms offer new ways to form and organise support communities in a virtual space. In creating real communities, survivors develop a sense of belonging. VSCs that use and exist on social media platforms present contemporary spaces where victims of sexual assault (survivors) can access support, disclose traumatic experiences and achieve a sense of justice by ‘being heard’. Survivors support each other by creating individualised networks that benefit from the affordances of persistent contact and pervasive awareness. Survivors embrace social media by creating and interacting through Facebook support groups and online forums such as Reddit. These VSCs may bridge gaps in the inadequate social supports offered by traditional community structures and mainstream support services, thus have the potential to increase the emotional well-being of survivors.

Terms of Reference
For this paper, I refer to ‘well-being’ as a subjective notion, i.e., how people experience events in their lives is as equally important as the circumstances themselves (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development [OECD], 2011, p. 265). Survivors are the best judges of how satisfied they are in life and whether they experience more positive or negative emotions (OECD, 2011, p. 265). Sexual assault is defined as an act of sexual violence including “physical contact, or intent of contact, of a sexual nature against a person’s will, using physical force, intimidation or coercion” (Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS] 2011; Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [AIHW], 2019a, as cited in AIHW, 2021, p. 2). Sexual assault is also a form of sexual abuse that occurs to children under the age of 15; in children under the age of 15, sexual assault also includes “forcing a child to watch or hear sexual acts, taking sexualised photos of a child, and sexually explicit talk” (ABS 2011; AIHW 2019a, as cited in AIHW, 2021, p. 2; AIHW, 2021, p. 11).

Discussion
Survivors without access to adequate support services may suffer in terms of their emotional well-being. In 2016, almost 2 million Australians had suffered a sexual assault since the age of 15, and more than 200,000 Australian adults had experienced sexual assault in the previous year (ABS, 2016, as cited in AIHW, 2021, p. 1). Sexual assault is a serious welfare and health issue that has devastating impacts on victims and their family’s well-being. As well as physical injury, survivors may suffer a myriad of long-term mental health outcomes that can negatively impact their daily lives. These include overwhelming feelings of shame and guilt, sleep disorders, feelings of isolation, fear and avoidance of the outside world, depression, anxiety, an inability to trust others, drug and alcohol addiction, eating disorders, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), self-harm and suicide (AIHW, 2021, p. 2; Bautz, 1998, p. 3; Brown et al., 2019, p. 2). Support is much needed to decrease depression and loneliness and increase self-esteem and well-being (McKenna & Bargh, 1998; Linville, 1985; Verbrugge, 1983, as cited in Shaw & Gant, 2004, p. 169; Shaw & Gant, 2004, pp. 159 & 168). Yet, only around a third of survivors seek help from legal, medical or crisis support services (Munro-Kramer et al., 2017, p. 298). Survivors are influenced by the cost and availability of support (Victorian Centre Against Sexual Assault [CASA], 2015, pp. 20-22), misperception (i.e., not knowing the experience constituted sexual assault), stigma, and feelings of guilt and shame (Munro-Kramer et al., 2017, p. 298). Many survivors find it difficult to disclose their abuse and delay disclosure or don’t disclose at all (Sinclair & Gold, 1997; Quadara, 2008; as cited in Andalibi et al., 2016, p. 3906), and this non-disclosure has negative impacts on well-being.

VSCs represent real communities that may positively impact the emotional well-being of survivors through a shared sense of belonging. For sociologists and anthropologists, a traditional community formed around spatially structured groups in towns or neighbourhoods or around cultural, political or religious minority groups. In contrast, historians and philosophers see community more as an ideology (Delanty, 2018, p. 3). Communities don’t represent real places. Instead, they are imagined realities where “while most of their members will never encounter one other, each believes they all share some deep, transhistorical bond (Anderson, 1991, as cited in Wegner, 2002, p. xvi). And when communication is the ‘essential feature of belonging’, there is no difference between the reality of a traditional community and a virtual one (Delanty, 2018, p. 201). Sexual assaults occur in physical community spaces; therefore, the segregation of virtual community spaces may be more desirable for survivors (AIHW, 2021, pp. 8 & 9). Social media presents new ways to form ‘communication communities’ based on social bonds formed around belonging and sharing (Delanty, 2018, p. i). Communication communities may still share commonalities such as religion, gender, or lifestyle, but they are not constrained by the bounds of time and space or the need for face-to-face interactions. Rather than being lost in this more fluid and temporary form of community, there are new possibilities for people to attain a sense of belonging than typically achievable in traditional forms of community (Delanty, 2018, p. 201). Survivors can make connections and discuss their problems with each other via private groups on social media (e.g. Facebook) or on forums such as Reddit in specific threads called ‘subreddits’ (Andalibi et al., 2016, p. 3907). These individualised, confidential, and accessible communities provide safe spaces for self-disclosure and peer support (Shaw & Gant, 2004, pp. 158 & 169; Munro-Kramer et al., 2017, pp. 301-303). This ‘culture of caring’ helps survivors feel less alone (Munro-Kramer et al., 2017, p. 300). The virtual turn enables connections between groups of people with shared experiences or traumas and a mutual need for specific kinds of support.

VSCs may positively impact the emotional well-being of survivors by providing spaces for a sense of justice through ‘being heard’. More vulnerable survivors are more likely to communicate online, and they do so to tell their stories and have their experiences validated by a listening audience (Moors & Webber, 2013; Webber & Moors, 2015 as cited in O’Neill, 2018, p. 47). Survivors of sexual assault consider ‘being heard’ as an essential part of seeking justice. Considering the insufficient systems for victims to be heard and acknowledged in the mainstream justice system, online communities may offer some scope for justice (Clark, 2010; McGlynn, Westmarland & Godden, 2012; Ross, 2003 as cited in O’Neill, 2018, pp. 47-48). Systemic failures to achieve a sense of justice can result in feelings of ‘intense and justified anger’ or “feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness, which impact the client’s well-being” (CASA, 2015, p. 27). A simple acknowledgment of the injustice a victim has suffered may be the best therapeutic response in some cases (CASA, 2015, p. 27). Survivors illustrated their needs for being heard and the benefits of VSCs for their well-being. One wrote on a subreddit forum, “It took me a while to write this but I finally did. I don’t know if anyone will read this but I’m just proud I was capable of talking about it, through writing at least” (O’Neill, 2018, p. 53). Another shared the positive effects of ‘lurking’ that empowered them to share their experiences, “… because of you I have strength … I see these people that are coming out with their stories and feel like I should do the same. Thank you, survivors. You are an inspiration” (O’Neill, 2018, p. 54). As well as providing intimate spaces for being heard, VSCs offer survivors anonymity.

The anonymity of VSCs may increase access to support where survivors feel safer disclosing their experiences. Being anonymous may empower survivors to express or show aspects of themselves, usually constrained by guilt, shame or feeling self-consciousness about their physical appearance, particularly in times of distress (Shaw & Gant, 2004, pp. 159 & 168). Research has found that online forums “have created alternative spaces where disclosures that might have otherwise remained silent have a voice, and people can seek support” (Andalibi et al., 2016, p. 3913). Online forums provide anonymous spaces for ‘considerable deep and detailed storytelling, emotional disclosure, and direct as well as indirect support seeking’ (Andalibi et al., 2016, p. 3915). VSCs also offer survivors agency and control over their communications with others.

Survivor agency and control are important when gaining support using the individualised networks and affordances provided by VSCs. Survivors have a strong need for individualised care and express their desire to make use of technology to tailor their needs (Munro-Kramer et al., 2017, pp. 301-302). Rather than users adapting to the “expectations for social life to what dominant technologies can offer” (Dotson, 2017, as cited in Hampton & Wellman, 2018, pp. 643-644), user behaviour drives the affordances of social media and convergent technologies. Therefore, to satisfy survivors, the VSCs we create must respond to their needs (Katz et al., 1973, pp. 520-521). Some survivors find private Facebook groups, where group administrators screen prospective members, provide safe and supportive spaces (Barta, 2020, pp. 116 & 189). Facebook affordances also allow restrictive privacy settings and muting or blocking other users when needed (Barta, 2020, pp. 189-190). Survivors can join closed Facebook groups or create groups of their own. Members must be invited into the group, and the privacy of shared information is under strict control. One survivor described how the affordances of VSCs provided more agency over her Facebook group, “I created a private Facebook group just for [a therapy group] that you can’t even search for. It doesn’t exist unless I invite you.” (Barta, 2020, p. 189).

VSCs can positively impact the emotional well-being of survivors through the social media affordances of persistent contact and pervasive awareness. Survivors of sexual assault may significantly benefit from persistent contact. Whereby platforms such as Facebook enable users to remain ‘friends’ or members of a group over long periods; even after a life-changing event such as moving to another country or having children (Hampton & Wellman, 2018, p. 647)—or when survivors retreat from face-to-face interactions to deal with symptoms of trauma. The affordances of social media platforms make persistent contact easier to achieve through low cost and simple person-to-network postings (Hampton, 2016, pp. 110-111). Social networks, expanded through social media, are individualised communities that connect people with similar interests or shared experiences, rather than just through traditional parochial, work or familial associations. Pervasive awareness enables a new form of community connectedness, especially significant for survivors who struggle with socialisation (Hampton & Wellman, 2018, p. 648). Pervasive awareness occurs due to the ambient nature and simplicity of persistent contact through social media (Hampton, 2016, p. 103). It is an outcome of our person-to-network broadcasts about important (or trivial matters) in our everyday lives, such as posting a photo or conveying an opinion. As a result, this affordance gives ‘subtle knowledge’ of our friends’ presence online (Hampton & Wellman, 2018, p. 648). Unlike the deliberate act of surveillance, pervasive awareness is more passive. It may include people who lurk in survivor groups, read others’ comments, or gain information that they may decide to act upon later (Hampton, 2016, p. 113). Pervasive awareness enables survivors to benefit from the community through feelings of belonging and interacting with the outside world. A VSC provides attentiveness and connectedness when members of the group regularly post their experiences and feelings and respond to one another’s posts. Survivors create pervasive awareness by posting about their experiences or asking questions. Their fellow survivors’ feedback provides a reciprocal awareness that creates closeness and bonding (Lu & Hampton, in progress, as cited in Hampton, 2016, pp. 112-113). Research has shown that people who self-disclose, and those who receive disclosure, form closer and stronger relationships (Collins & Miller, 1994, as cited in Hampton, 2016, p. 116). Even if the survivor doesn’t contribute to the group’s feed, they benefit from reading what others share and gain comfort in knowing a platform exists to share or disclose in the future. Persistent contact and pervasive awareness act as forms of informal community ‘care’ for survivors, and this may increase well-being while at the same time allowing survivors to maintain control over the level of contact they have with others (Hampton, 2016, p. 103).

Conclusion
Survivors of sexual assault who are reluctant to access traditional forms of healthcare or support may instead choose to gain support online. Virtual support communities used for communication and belonging increase connectedness and socialisation for people who experience emotional or psychological support barriers. Virtual support communities provide low cost, individualised, accessible, and supportive social conditions to create safe, controlled and confidential spaces for survivors to disclose and seek support and thus have the potential to increase the emotional well-being of survivors.

#community, #social media, #virtual support communities, #sexual assault, #survivors, #self-disclosure

References

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Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2021). Sexual assault in Australia. https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/0375553f-0395-46cc-9574-d54c74fa601a/aihw-fdv-5.pdf.aspx?inline=true

Barta, K. (2020). Reclaiming publicness in the face of sexual assault: Social media, disclosure, and visibility (Doctoral dissertation), 10-253. https://www-proquest-com.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/docview/2374326790/2859B2539A4B4FFCPQ/4?accountid=10382

Bautz, G. (1998). The impact of long-term group therapy on adult female survivors of childhood sexual abuse (Doctoral dissertation). https://www.proquest.com/docview/304396120?pq-origsite=primo&accountid=10382

Brown, S. J., Khasteganan, N., Brown, K., Hegarty, K., Carter, G. J., Tarzia, L., Feder, G., & O’Doherty, L. (2019). Psychosocial interventions for survivors of rape and sexual assault experienced during adulthood. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2019(11), 1-26. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD013456

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Delanty, G. (2018). Community (3rd ed.). Routledge. https://doi-org.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/10.4324/9781315158259

Hampton, K. N. (2016). Persistent and pervasive community: New communication technologies and the future of community. American Behavioral Scientist, 60(1), 101-124. https://journals-sagepub-com.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/doi/full/10.1177/0002764215601714

Hampton, K. N., & Wellman, B. (2018). Lost and saved… again: The moral panic about the loss of community takes hold of social media. Contemporary Sociology, 47(6), 643-651. https://journals-sagepub-com.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/doi/full/10.1177/0094306118805415

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O’Neill, T. (2018). ‘Today I Speak’: Exploring How Victim-Survivors Use Reddit. International journal for crime, justice and social democracy, 7(1), 44-59. https://search-proquest-com.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/docview/2268355270?pq-origsite=primo

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2011). How’s life?: measuring well-being. Paris: Oecd. https://www-oecd-ilibrary-org.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/economics/how-s-life_9789264121164-en

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Victorian Centre Against Sexual Assault. (2015). Submission to royal commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse: Issues paper 10 advocacy and support and therapeutic treatment services. https://casa.org.au/assets/Documents/CASA-Forum-Submission-Issues-Paper-10-25-11-15.pdf

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27 thoughts on “Virtual support communities: supporting survivors of sexual assault

  1. Hi Eve,

    This is a very valuable argument that you present. I think that these third places have definitely served a beneficial purpose for assault ‘survivors’, allowing them to have their voice heard by others (sometimes in similar situations) and as you stated; “achieve a sense of justice.” I would be interesting to get your thought of what survivors might’ve done without the offer of these online networks and communities in order to reach this satisfaction (e.g. of justice, of belonging).

    I liked your use of statistics at the beginning of your discussion as it really woke me up to the disturbing numbers that suffer these events and draws the attention to the need of change. Although I personally cannot relate to a lot of the victims, your writing positions me in a way to emphasise with these victims through your discussions of the everyday effects – highlighting the strong mental health consequences.

    I think that it is very important to provide these survivors with the facilities in order to help them overcome their experiences and empower them in the future, especially due to the increase of mental health cases in Australia. Not only are the short-term concerns but also long-term effects that may even lead to suicides or constant restrictions (e.g. agoraphobia). I agree that survivor agency and control are significantly important and needed to be developed through connections and communities either offline or online.

    Smooth readibiltiy and great insight into the effects of the survivors. Thoroughly enjoyed reading your paper.

    – Kira

    1. Hi Kira,

      Thanks so much for reading my paper and offering your insights and feedback. It makes me happy that I have given you some more background in this area. I also appreciate that you took the time to read about a topic that is uncomfortable for many.

      Before VSCs, and currently, many survivors worldwide without access to the Internet or services suffer alone. Many resort to avoidance strategies (such as self-isolation) or self-medicate with drugs or alcohol. And tragically, some decide that life is not worth living. One of the common trends in VSCs are the similar stories of victims who have first disclosed to a family member or someone else in the community and have suffered further abuse, are disbelieved, ignored or blamed. My G.P., responsible for examining my physical injuries after a sexual assault, quizzed me about why I had so much to drink when a stranger assaulted me. Therefore, it stands to reason that not only having to suffer the symptoms of trauma and the associated mental health conditions, victims also suffer from feelings of abandonment, isolation, shame, self-blame and stigma. Ulman reported empirical evidence in the article, Social Support and Recovery from Sexual Assault: A Review. The study found some survivors go on to have further distress when they experience adverse social reactions to their disclosure or when seeking help, and as a result, have poorer mental health outcomes. But interestingly, those that isolate may have better recovery outcomes in the long run because disclosing to those not equipped to offer appropriate support can be fraught with physical or emotional danger (Ullman, 1999, pp. 353-354).

      So VSCs can provide vital initial social support when the systems around victims are inadequate. They can build victims up so that they can better protect themselves against adverse reactions to disclosure, give information about what to expect during therapy, offer peer support, and for those who are further along the path of healing, they can provide hope to those who are in distress. And I would argue that VSCs offer unique research areas about what survivors want and need and inform professional and public services about the kinds of peer support they should aim to provide.

      Do you have any further thoughts?

      Cheers,
      Eve

      Ullman, S. E. (1999). Social support and recovery from sexual assault: A review. Aggression and violent behavior, 4(3), 343-358. https://www-sciencedirect-com.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/science/article/pii/S1359178998000068

  2. Hi Eve
    Your paper is very well written and to raise a sensitive topic, I thought you had done really well with your ideas and discussions. I thought some of your key points to back up your thesis was well executed. You had some great references and in your discussion paragraph, you provided evidence to support your claims.
    You discussed and wrote, ‘Survivors of sexual assault consider ‘being heard’ as an essential part of seeking justice”. I think that social media platforms have become a way for citizens to share their experience and form communities that share the same views. Providing examples of using social media for survivors, I thought was really well written and incorporated into your paper.
    Digital culture has changed every day behaviours and the way we communicate online and for people who have gone through something, they want to share and offer advice or just a way to talk about it. However, through virtual communities do you think by sharing with others that some of the advice given to them may be not the best advice? I wonder how some of the survivors have encountered any problems concerning with some of the experience. I also question at what point do some people need further help and a virtual community is not enough. and where can they go to seek further support.

    Thank you for sharing your paper and ideas

    1. Hi Nakia,

      Thanks so much for taking the time to read my paper and for your generous and lovely comments. They are much appreciated. Thanks for your questions. I have done my best to answer them here.

      To answer your first question about whether ‘some of the advice given to them [through VSCs] maybe not the best advice?’. I would firstly qualify my answer by saying that any area of human endeavour is imperfect, and we can make mistakes in VSCs or even in the professional space. But in general, measures such as adequate moderation by admins (where problematic information or comments are intercepted) and strict adherence to the group rules can reduce the dissemination of bad advice. Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough words to detail the pitfalls of VSCs in my paper. Problems in VSCs do exist, including trolling or fear of perpetrators infiltrating groups etc. Tully O’Neill’s paper, ‘Today I Speak’: Exploring How Victim‐Survivors Use Reddit, presented some interesting findings on the potential pitfalls; link below. But again, if users take steps to remain anonymous and not engage in private discussions, their safety is increased. I went into safety issues a bit more with Kristy, so perhaps have a read of our conversation below.

      I don’t ordinarily recommend non-professionals offering counselling. Still, I suppose that fellow survivors offering support is no different from anyone else providing advice to friends or family or other community members. So, I think VSCs have a vital role to play for many victims. There is also scope for professional or government sectors to get involved in the administration of VSCs to make them more effective and increase linkages to support services in the community.

      As I mentioned to others below, professional help is paramount if you want to process trauma, heal, and thrive after an assault; it certainly was for me. Most VSCs have threads of long discussions about professional help. And many discuss their experiences with professional therapies and are great hubs to flesh out any concerns or get information about what worked for some people. Rather than replacing professional help, VSCs act as an adjunct, or stop-gap or even a gateway to professional services, so I think they have an important part to play in survivor community support.

      Furthermore, in my experience (as a survivor), and as I found in my research, victims of sexual assault have many barriers to care, and so most (around 2/3) don’t seek any help at all. This is of real concern because too many victims are suffering in silence and are alone, ashamed and afraid. There are many reasons why survivors don’t seek professional support or health care. Either they can’t afford it or are too far away from health providers, they are confused about what happened to them or are too ashamed to tell anyone (let alone a stranger over the phone or at an appointment). I have found that VSCs fill a gap when services are unattainable or undesirable to victims. Many who haven’t disclosed their assault due to shame, grief, or fear, find that sharing their experiences online with other survivors gives them the strength and agency to go further and seek professional help—which I would recommend all survivors do.

      Regarding where to go for more support, if members of VSCs join a local group, they will have more access to local information about available services they can access. It is more difficult for global groups to provide lists of services for obvious reasons, but I have seen international groups help each other find local services. Some VSCs are administered by formal organisations that offer options for care; see more detail of types of services in my comments to Rachel. In Australia, the process to seek long term psychological help starts with survivors doing investigations into what psychologists are available in their area. They then visit a GP for a referral and a mental health plan sent to the preferred psychologist. Victims of sexual assault should contact specific organisations such as the Victorian Centre Against Sexual Assault. These experienced services can help victims contact the police if that is what the victim wants. Or victims may decide to contact the police on their own. Otherwise, many organisations such as 1800Respect, Kids Help Line or Lifeline are widely available and provide information for where to go for more support.

      So to wrap up, I think VSCs offer good access, information and encouragement for those survivors who wish to seek professional help. And although there are some pitfalls, with good management, they can be reduced and thus, the positives offered, in my view, outweigh the pitfalls.
      Thanks again, and please don’t hesitate to ask if you need further clarification on any of my points.

      Kind regards,

      Eve

      O’Neill, T. (2018). ‘Today I Speak’: Exploring How Victim-Survivors Use Reddit. International journal for crime, justice and social democracy, 7(1), 44-59. https://search-proquest-com.dbgw.lis.curtin.edu.au/docview/2268355270?pq-origsite=primo

      Victorian Centre Against Sexual Assault. (2015). Submission to royal commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse: Issues paper 10 advocacy and support and therapeutic treatment services. https://casa.org.au/assets/Documents/CASA-Forum-Submission-Issues-Paper-10-25-11-15.pdf

  3. Hi Eve,

    I will start by saying that I am really impressed by your paper and its way it manages to tackle a very sensitive subject yet being very informative. Thank You for your paper which I am sure must be an eye-opener for many of your readers. You have done a lot of researches on the subject which successfully gives weight to all your arguments and your paper in general.
    In a modern society where these kind of barbarous acts continue to occur every day, it is important to bring light to topics like yours. Could you provide me with some more examples of these Virtual support communities? I would love to know even more about them.
    I particularly enjoyed your part on anonymity as I think that it is a very important aspect of these Virtual support communities since not every survivor is at ease with sharing their stories publicly.

    One last question. There are also a lot of sexual assaults online through cyberbullying. For those survivors, do you think that those Virtual support communities are still relevant to them since their sexual assault happened online? I would love to hear your point of view on that!

    I also encourage you to check my paper on “Black Natural Hair Vloggers on YouTube Are Empowering Their Audiences’ by Encouraging Them to Embrace Their Black Identity.”
    The link is below:
    https://networkconference.netstudies.org/2021/2021/04/26/black-natural-hair-vloggers-on-youtube-are-empowering-their-audiences-by-encouraging-them-to-embrace-their-black-identity/#comment-1644

    1. Hi Rachel,

      Thanks so much for reading my paper and offering your insights; it is much appreciated!

      Thinking about other examples, many forms of asynchronous VSCs exist, where the ‘support’ provided is to give survivors a platform to have a voice and share their stories. Users who contribute to these spaces can choose whether they are anonymous or personally identified. One such platform in the USA is ‘Our Wave’ https://www.ourwave.org/what-we-do.

      Other formalised and professional forms of VSCs are websites/platforms with a range of different online services for survivors. Some offer message boards, online support groups or chat rooms. One such service, I found after a quick Google search, is ‘After Silence’ (https://www.aftersilence.org/).

      In Australia, there is a Virtual Support Community for young people, run through ‘Kids Help Line’ called ‘My Circle’, that provides peer support chat rooms and other information or access to help (https://kidshelpline.com.au/my-circle). Many online portals offer information about where to go for help, such as ‘Reach Out’ and ‘1800Respect’ (https://au.reachout.com/articles/sexual-assault-support).

      My paper highlighted informal VSCs that exist on Facebook and Reddit. I focused on these platforms because they are ubiquitous in society, and many survivors would already be aware of them or have an account. So, for survivors who are unsure about where to go, they can join a private group or subreddit and communicate with others, share stories, and get information about where to get help if they want to take the next step.

      Regarding your question about sexual assault that occurs online, as mentioned at the beginning of my paper, my terms of reference for how I define sexual assault describes a crime that is perpetrated against a victim physically.

      ‘Sexual assault is defined as an act of sexual violence including “physical contact, or intent of contact, of a sexual nature against a person’s will, using physical force, intimidation or coercion” (Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS] 2011; Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [AIHW], 2019a, as cited in AIHW, 2021, p. 2). Sexual assault is also a form of sexual abuse that occurs to children under the age of 15; in children under the age of 15, sexual assault also includes “forcing a child to watch or hear sexual acts, taking sexualised photos of a child, and sexually explicit talk” (ABS 2011; AIHW 2019a, as cited in AIHW, 2021, p. 2; AIHW, 2021, p. 11).’

      For children under 15, it does include victims being photographed or being forced to watch sex acts, so sexual assaults can occur remotely—although I admit I hadn’t researched these types of crimes. I am also unaware of the statistics of how many survivors have only suffered online assaults as children and no physical ones; I would think most would have experienced both.

      Many victims of sexual assault suffer from symptoms of trauma triggered by things that they associate with the traumatic experience, e.g. sights, sounds, smells, somatic sensations, or contact with particular people or places. They may experience flashbacks about the experience that may be realistic and scary. So, if a survivor had experienced a trauma that happened 100% online, they may not want to seek support online. These survivors may prefer to talk on the phone or go out into the community for help. My paper specifically researched what may be beneficial for those who have been assaulted physically in the community. Therefore, these survivors may feel safer to ‘lurk’ online or chat with fellow survivors, mainly when professional support is unattainable or when they don’t feel safe going outside or talking on the phone.

      I hope I have answered your questions, but please get in touch if you have any queries.

      Thanks again!
      Eve

  4. Hi Eve,

    Thank you for addressing such a sensitive topic, it is a topic that can be hard to address for some people and you’ve written this paper with care.

    I notice that you have mentioned that sexual assault takes place in physical spaces and this is why some people prefer virtual spaces and communities to seek support as a kind of ‘safe space’. I agree and I have discussed similar within my own paper on the benefits of Facebook as a social media platform for offering support in ways that some traditional communities cannot[1]. I argue that social media platforms, particularly Facebook are capable of offering people a space where they can discuss sensitive topics with communities and individuals they would ordinarily be out of contact with.

    I see that you’ve mentioned anonymity in virtual spaces as a motivator for seeking support. How important do you think it is for some people to remain anonymous when discussing assault and seeking support? I feel like this could perhaps vary from person to person with platforms like Reddit maybe being more attractive to some people looking for anonymity. I would be interested to hear your thoughts.

    I also appreciate that you’ve discussed the benefits of lurking, I had briefly touched on the topic in my paper but I feel you have probed more deeply into the idea of the benefits of lurking.

    I have noticed a trend on Facebook recently in which groups are avoiding and even banning discussing certain topics because of a belief that Facebook is indiscriminately removing groups and muting individuals for the content they discuss. I find that most groups that allow discussion of these topics require a ‘Trigger Warning’ (TW) at the beginning of the post to prewarn readers. I wonder, if there is tangible proof of groups being removed, and if the issue gets worse, whether platforms like Facebook will cease to be a safe space with people flocking to other platforms that better fulfill their needs? I wonder how this will affect the popularity and ubiquity of the platform in the future.

    Regards,
    Crystal.

    [1] https://networkconference.netstudies.org/2021/2021/04/26/virtual-vs-traditional-communities-the-benefits-of-facebooks-virtual-communities-and-how-they-differ-from-smaller-traditional-communities/

    1. Hi Crystal,

      Thanks very much for your kind words and encouragement; it is really appreciated!

      I’m so glad you picked up on my point about some survivors not feeling safe to seek help in physical communities because that is where the trauma occurred. I think it is a very relevant point. For me, my trauma symptoms manifested in depression, anxiety, PTSD, grief, shame, and social anxiety. I found talking on the phone very difficult, let alone going out into the community for a Dr’s appointment or to the supermarket. If someone knocked on my front door, my limbic system would generate a flight response, my heart would jump out of my chest, and I would run and hide. The outside world was a place to fear. I didn’t trust anyone, and I didn’t trust myself to be able to keep me safe. So, like many other survivors suffering from trauma, I was incredibly isolated and had to go through many crisis events alone. Having social media groups back then certainly would have helped me.

      Anonymity is vital for those who need it. I go through phases with being comfortable to disclose my trauma or experiences and then have times when I would prefer to be anonymous. Having options is essential, especially for survivors who need to have control and agency over their communications with others. Using your real name has its benefits because others must do the same, and trolls and perpetrators have fewer places to hide. It has been therapeutic for me to disclose and have a voice under my real name. Processing trauma and concluding that shame is not mine to bear has been cathartic and an important stage of healing for me.

      But for many, who are in dangerous situations or feel unsafe, a lack of anonymity shouldn’t be a barrier to care or support. So, forums like Reddit and subreddits can help survivors feel safe. User safety (both physical and emotional safety) should be paramount for survivors; it is such a serious subject matter with severe consequences if platforms or users get it wrong.

      Facebook has gone through many changes and will continue to evolve; we can only hope that it becomes a platform that better satisfies the needs of its users. I, too, have noticed that Facebook is cracking down on many topics of discourse, and I don’t think it is always beneficial. I think many of the platform’s actions are driven by algorithms that regularly get it wrong, and if these patterns are influencing how groups are managed or moderated, then it is of concern. We need more openness on topics of sexual abuse and assault, not less. Trigger warnings are ubiquitous in these groups, so it is evident that users are trying to put measures in place to keep the spaces workable. Perhaps Facebook will become less suitable for virtual support communities in the future, and yes, survivors will need to look elsewhere. I don’t think losing Facebook is something to be worried about though, I have hope that changes to social media affordances will be driven by what users need rather than what the platforms decide is best for us. If Facebook becomes irrelevant, other spaces will fill its place.

      I will have a read of your paper this week and give my thoughts.

      Thanks again, Crystal!
      Eve

  5. Hi Kristy,

    I’m very sorry to hear you are also a survivor, you shouldn’t have had to go through that. I appreciate you disclosing that here and hope that it helps in some way with having a voice. Everyone experiences and heals differently, there is no set timeline or way to have a voice, it is whatever people feel comfortable with and what works for them. I hope you are OK and always remember you are not alone.

    I have been talking about trauma for decades now and I only discovered VSCs during this unit, when investigating what to write my paper about. What I discovered was an eye opener, with regards to the amount of disclosure happening, diversity of survivors from all over the world, diversity in their experiences and the overwhelming needs that are not being met. The issue of sexual assault and sexual abuse is far reaching and diverse because sexual assault doesn’t discriminate, it’s not a thing that only happens to particular races or cultures, or socio-economic groups, or even just to women, it happens across the board.

    I am familiar with the great Jess Hill and her work, mainly through podcasts and interviews; I haven’t read her book or watched the new series yet. I think domestic violence crosses over into the subject of sexual assault. As my paper points out, most perpetrators of sexual assault are known to the victim. And although I haven’t researched as such, I would say many victims of DV have also been victims of sexual assault or abuse at some stage. Hill’s work on highlighting coercive control is very relevant to my topic, as similar tactics are used by rapists and abusers. In many cases CC creates confusion in the minds of the victims as to whether they ‘consented’ or not. It’s so important that the concept of coercive control is brought into the mainstream, so that it is judged as a factor when reports are made—not only for law enforcement and the courts, but for victims. I found in my research that many victims don’t disclose or seek help because they are confused about whether an assault actually took place.

    The issue of anonymity is vitally important. As I said in my other comments, it is empowering for some survivors to go into private VSCs and disclose or seek help under their real names. And in our physical communities, we make police reports and go to our GPs and counsellors under our real names too. But for the many who are in danger, they must take measures to remain safe. In saying that, I hate putting the onus on victims to change their behaviour because the onus really should be on the criminals to stop what they are doing! These criminal behaviours should be dealt with properly by the police, but too many aren’t for whatever reason. As you point out, even having anonymous social media accounts wouldn’t protect you against a perpetrator who had installed spyware on your devices. Some even put tracker devices on victim’s cars etc.

    The use of VPNs springs to mind when increasing online security, as well as installing anti-virus software that may detect spyware plugins. But as the following article points out, if your abuser has installed spyware and you remove it, it may put victims in more danger, as the perps are alerted that they have been caught out https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252485842/Use-of-spyware-apps-linked-to-domestic-abuse-soars-in-lockdown. The only way to then act is to go to the police, and we all know that in many cases the system is failing victims. So your idea about the VSC groups coming up with technology to confuse spyware, rather than remove it, is a fantastic idea!

    There are many apps that you can use on your phone for quick help and some even allow you to press a button and record conversations undetected e.g Victims Voice app. 1800 respect has a great list of apps to use (https://www.1800respect.org.au/safety-apps-mobile-phones). The ‘HelpMe app is specifically designed to send warning messages to people in your contact list. Even Dr Phil’s wife Robin has a foundation the made an app that can be used to call for the police with the touch of a button undetected https://www.whengeorgiasmiled.org/aspire-news-app/. So there are many people developing great things to make using the Internet safer.

    But all of these measures won’t 100% prevent people being assaulted. Hopefully the more these issues are talked about and made public, rather than hidden because of fear of shame or judgement, the more we will see changes to our social systems and culture to prevent these crimes from happening in the first place. To prevent people offending we need better education in schools, more social supports for families in crisis, mental health and drug and alcohol services, and more resources given to police and the justice system so perpetrators are dealt with properly.

    Take care and thanks for the great discussion!
    Eve

  6. Hi Eve,

    I really enjoyed reading your paper. You’re right, although our papers are on different networks and communities found on social media, we do touch on many similar points. Particularly the support and solidarity sexual assault survivors gain from participating in these online communities. I liked your point about ‘lurking’ in survivor groups. It’s not something I mentioned in my paper, but it is an important affordance for these groups – to allow women to feel there are many other people out there in the same or similar situation. It may in turn lead to someone being able to feel ready to reach out for support or tell their own story.

    As I was reading, I was reminded of my own VSCs, which I have in the form of various mothers groups online. As Michelle mentioned in an earlier comment, there are many parallels that can be drawn between the different groups.

    Your discussion around the anonymous or private spaces was also very good. It makes sense that the private Facebook groups are a popular place for survivors to share stories and experiences. It would also give the participants a good sense of autonomy and control over their privacy and who they interact with

    One question I have for you – what do you think might be the future of VSCs? Have you noticed any trends? Just looking at my own experience in online communities, I have noticed a greater shift to more heavily moderated groups. Sadly it seems without the moderators or active admins, sometimes the conversations get off the rails or even abusive. So I for one welcome this shift.

    Thanks,
    Elissa

    1. Hi Elissa,

      Thanks so much for reading my paper and for your insightful comments! We think along the same lines 🙂

      This unit has been great in thinking about the positive aspects of social media; I normally only hear about the pitfalls. It’s also great to learn new academic terms to describe the affordances of e.g. ‘lurking’ (as an aspect of pervasive awareness and persistent contact), because we can then speak for the benefits of social media and VSCs that are backed up by research. It gives them more academic merit.

      I agree with your observations about the similarities between various types of VSCs and private groups offering more autonomy and control over their sharing or level of interaction.

      Regarding trends, I haven’t researched enough to gain any conclusive insight into trends or what the future holds for VSCs, specifically for survivors of sexual assault. But from what I have read during my research and subsequently, there is scope for VSCs to be organised by more formalised social agencies and moderated by professionals, if only to have better linkages to support services and professional crisis interventions. In saying that, looking at the few groups I recently frequented, I haven’t seen any problems with disagreements, offensive material or abusive behaviour. I’m not sure whether this is because the groups are adequately moderated to deal with offensive posts or comments or that the group members behave respectfully and follow the rules; I’d love to think the latter. But like any social activity, virtual or physical, there need to be standards of conduct and behaviour that are dealt with if breached, not that this happens enough in society—and alarmingly, even parliament is a place where social standards have failed. So, good moderation is vital, especially when you are hosting survivors dealing with trauma and associated mental health concerns. Other circumstances to consider are posts where victims are crying out for help, and no one replies. This perception of being ignored or abandoned could have counterproductive and devastating impacts on their emotional well-being. Therefore, 24/7 moderation and administration of VSCs needs to occur.

      There is so much work to do in this space. I hope that technology and the affordances of social media can help overcome some of the barriers to care or fill the gaps in inadequate or inaccessible support services for some survivors.

      Cheers,
      Eve

  7. Hi Eve,
    I will start by saying thank you for your paper and congratulation!
    The work you put into your paper is amazing and what I found more amazing is how you were able to talk about such a sensitive subject in such an informative and well – doing manner!

    I have a question you talked about Virtual support communities which for you is a support for sexual assault victims. so what is your point of view about cancelling and discussion made by professional , is it as effective or more effective than Virtual support communities ?

    Finally it will be great if you could have a look to my paper and give me your point of view about it!

    Here is the link : https://networkconference.netstudies.org/2021/2021/04/26/performance-of-ideal-self-online-having-a-detrimental-effect-on-social-media-influencers-identity/

    Hope to hear from you soon and again good work!

    1. Hi Marie,

      Thanks so much for taking the time to read my paper! And thanks for your encouraging comments!

      Regarding your question, ‘about cancelling and discussion made by professional , is it as effective or more effective than Virtual support communities?’. I first thought you meant ‘cancelling’ the discussions with a professional, and I that isn’t what I have found in my research into VSCs. But once I read your question again a few times, I think you meant to ask if counselling and professional therapy is more effective that VSCs.

      In my experience, and what I found in my research and therefore explained in my paper, is that due to the many barriers to support, VSCs may be the only support available (or desirable) for many survivors. The many barriers include the cost, availability to services, stigma, shame, confusion about if an assault actually occurred and other factors. With only 1/3 seeking professional help, there needs to be more done about addressing the barriers to support and the needs of those who don’t engage in professional support. Therefore, it isn’t a question of whether professional services are better than VSCs, but rather that VSCs offer support to fill the gaps of care when professional support services are inadequate.

      A few other readers asked me questions along the same lines, so please do have a read of my responses below, they might be of interest and might explain what I mean in another way.

      Most VSCs have threads of long discussions about professional help. They discuss what therapies there are and what works for some. Members of VSCs offer emotional and social support and at the same time encourage those in distress or crisis to seek professional help. They discuss medications and what works for them etc. So rather than replacing professional help, VSCs act as an adjunct, or stop-gap to professional services and so I think they have an important part to play in survivor community support.

      There is also scope for professional or government sectors to get involved in the administration of VSCs to make them more effective and to increase linkages to support services in the community.

      I hope that answers your question, but please let me know if I misunderstood, or you have any other queries.

      Take care and thanks again,
      Eve

  8. Hello Eve,
    Firstly, congratulations. I feel truly honored to have been able to read your paper which in many aspects l can relate and understand.
    I think there is a point that you mention something about being heard or listened too which is something that resonates with me the most. Denial is a powerful weapon for some, but it can leave others aching and feeling like there may never be any justice. It is amazing that there are these types of support communities available for people to reach out and get the acknowlegment they deserve. I guess this is the main prioity for victims, because like you mention in your paper, acknowledgement is very theraputic, and can be regarded potentially as a small amount of justice. It may just be the only therapy or justice some victims receive or need within their lifetime. For people that can’t get that acknowledgement, it tends to become an issue or trauma that lay dormant until evoked, which generally leads to extreme actions, such as alcohol binging, drug taking and/or self-harm. I don’t believe too many know about these online support groups, which l think is very sad also, as they could be a life changing experience for some. In order for them to have maximised effect, people need to know they exist.
    However, on a brighter note… your paper is very insightful and well presented, and l applaude your courage. Well done.

    Nathan

    1. Hi Nathan,

      Thanks for your encouraging and kind comments, they are really appreciated!

      It’s been great to read other’s papers on social media and support groups, and have people comment on mine to gain more insight into this issue. It is apparent that ‘being heard’ is fundamental to well-being and healing. As you say, ‘denial is a powerful weapon’ and I have found, in my case anyway, denial is as damaging as the abuse itself. Denial shouldn’t be downplayed in society, because perpetrators also gain power when their supporters deny the truth of victims or even deny the truth of what they are seeing with their own eyes. So, denial perpetuates these crimes continuing, and that is scary to think about.

      You are right, that for some, acknowledgement might be the only justice survivors ever get, which is heartbreaking. At least if survivors can get some acknowledgement, they may have that little bit of hope to move past the symptoms of trauma—or even bring charges to get criminal justice later. Apparently, the average time left before a survivor discloses is 20 years, so anything we can do to speed up this process is positive.

      I agree too, that there is no point in support services or VSCs existing, if no one knows about them. I listened to a true crime podcast last night that listed some Australian support services for survivors of domestic abuse that I hadn’t heard of before. It was a podcast from the USA. So, it shows how good social media (and I include podcasts) can be in disseminating information about support services. There are quite a few podcasts that address survivor issues too that link to their Facebook groups. It didn’t take me long to find a few groups doing a search on Facebook, so I think for those who are looking, VSCs can be found.

      I also think there may be a reluctance for professionals, community groups or government services to recommend VSCs because they are an ‘unknown’ and a fairly recent phenomenon. VSCs are not necessarily run by professionals in the sector either, so I’d say the sector would be reluctant to promote anything that wasn’t controlled or monitored in some way. But at the same time, the reason why VSCs are needed, is because professional services are so expensive and hard to access for some—either the waiting list for trauma counselling is far too long, services aren’t available in their area, or victims are too ashamed or distressed to make an appointment. There needs to be more research into VSCs, so that government and professionals can offer these groups (still run by survivors) and moderate them and have systems in place to offer interventions when needed. It’s unfortunate that the wheels of government turn very slowly.

      Cheers,
      Eve

      1. Hello Eve,
        I have been pondering over your paper a little, and l have a couple of questions that you may be able to help me answer.
        As far as l am concerned there is no age, obviously, where sexual assault is appropriate. However, we are talking about online communities and networks and alot of people that are abused are sadly not at an age appropriate stage where using social media is recommended. From my own experiences, l know that sexual assaults can be inflicted at a very early age whereby the trauma can lay dormant for long periods of time.
        How do you think that social media communities could help younger victims, if at all?
        Do you think that maybe we should be encouraging younger people to use social media to talk? (Like we do the telephone Kids Help Line?)
        Although, I could never see myself picking up a telephone as an eight-year-old to ask for help. What if they didn’t believe me? What if it were to effect my family in a really negative way, which made me not just a victim, but the eventual cause of a divided family?
        It is great that mature-aged victims are now able to finally seek the online support, but l have to wonder about those that may have fallen victim to – or are currently victims of – childhood sexual abuse. Is this a new age where we should encourage online help for children? As it enables the privacy, l feel that a telephone doesn’t. I don’t really think that it is fair that any victim should have to wait years for help or support given the devistating effects it can have, but is the online space an adequate place for younger victims?
        Cheers
        Nathan

        1. Hi Nathan,

          Thanks so much for pondering my paper further; there is a lot to unpack about this subject, so continuing the discussion is really helpful. And I’m sorry to hear that you have some experience in this area. I think we both agree that there needs to be a lot more action taken to meet the needs of older survivors. But certainly, resources and justice systems for younger victims are woefully inadequate. Any improvement we can make in this area is positive. With social media being accessible, private, instant and cheap, it is definitely an area that needs more research and consideration. Again, I don’t think online communities should be the only support service that survivors rely on, but they may be beneficial when outside (medical, social or legal) help is unattainable.

          You have brought up an important point about the range of experiences and ages of victims. I think each circumstance is different, and the onus should always be dealing with the individual and their needs, so my comments are generally speaking. As a woman who doesn’t have children, I don’t feel qualified to talk about whether children would benefit from social media. My initial gut feeling would be that I wouldn’t be comfortable having an 8-year-old chatting to strangers online, as they don’t have sufficient emotional intelligence to understand the risks involved. At least with a well-known phone line, there are professionals involved and a trusted source for care. As I have mentioned in my comments to others, there is scope for formalised groups on social media to be created and managed by professionals for increased safety and risk assessments can be done in real-time, and interventions can occur when needed.
          Furthermore, thinking about privacy, as you mentioned, these days kids don’t seem to talk on the phone as often as we once did, so overhearing a child talking on the phone may be more evident and difficult to hide. I had a look at the Kids Help Line website, and they now have online resources broken up into different age groups with targeted information. Children and young people up to 25 years can call on the phone, webchat or send emails. They also have a peer support facility called ‘My Circle’ (https://kidshelpline.com.au/my-circle) that appears to work in a similar way to social media groups, so that is great!

          But going back to social media platforms, I think it is a good idea to have as many options available as possible, to cater for children with different needs. So yes, I believe appropriately managed online spaces could be adequate (or at least a first port of call) for younger victims.

          As a younger victim of abuse, I felt very alone; I would have loved a place to log into and chat with others about my problems and to feel part of a caring community. Bonding with others with shared experiences may have alleviated some of the confusion. If my siblings also had access to the same community, it would have bolstered the messages given, and we may have sought outside help sooner.

          I think another form of help for young victims is to have readily accessible information, with content targeted appropriately to younger audiences as Kids Help Line provides (I’m sure there are other services out there too). When I was young, I didn’t know that the things happening to me was abuse; I had no idea. And research has shown that confusion also prevents older survivors from seeking support, with many unsure if an assault actually occurred. So having information that gives clarity to victims would be beneficial to help them feel more confident about when to seek help. Social media could disseminate this type of information to younger people and promote initiatives and services; like Kids Help Line.

          After reading my thoughts, what do you think, Nathan? Can you think of any other possible downfalls with having young people joining online groups to discuss these sorts of things?

          Cheers,
          Eve

  9. Hi Eve

    Firstly, thank you for an excellent paper. I know this was very personal for you as a survivor. The public discourse this year particularly in Australia with the likes of Grace Tame and Brittany Higgins and their stories of sexual assault has certainly brought a lot of this into the spotlight, which could not have been easy for those who understand the trauma.

    I saw some parallels in my own paper https://networkconference.netstudies.org/2021/2021/04/26/finding-community-online-as-a-military-partner/ and research on Military partners finding community and support online. The notion of reaching out to others with the lived experience is very powerful, especially when it comes to trauma. These are very real communities.

    I was particularly interested in your comments on persistent contact and pervasive awareness. This too is very relevant in the military partner space. The notion of people lurking in groups and not necessarily communicating outwardly can still have benefits of reading other people’s stories. Storytelling is very compelling.

    As with my own paper, I believe there might be opportunities for linking to professional support in these groups. Do you see this happening at all?

    Best regards
    Michelle

    1. Hi Michelle,

      Thanks so much for reading my paper and your eloquent reply.

      I think there are some parallels in our papers, we found that many needs are being met by people through online/virtual communities that otherwise wouldn’t be met in the physical world. I found this encouraging, as we tend to hear a lot about how negative social media can be and so much about the benefits.

      Being a member of a couple of these VSCs, in private survivor groups, and through my academic research, I found that people discuss professional services. There are many conversations about different therapies and what worked and didn’t work for some. Recently a member of a group reached out for very specific professional support within a religious setting and there were many people who came up with suggestions and links of where she could go for help. As the groups are global, it would be difficult to offer links on the actual pages.

      As I detailed in my reply to Mageswari below, I think it is important that survivors get professional help if they can. My paper highlighted how VSCs can help those who can’t or don’t want to access professional services, for whatever reason. I think it’s a worry that so many people face barriers to support, or the services that are offered are not adequately meeting the needs of survivors. A lot more needs to be done.

      Thanks again!
      Eve

  10. Hi Eve.

    Congratulations on a well thought out and researched conference paper. It is easy to see this is something you worked really hard on!

    It makes so much sense that sexual assault survivors turn to virtual support communities when they have been violated in real life settings. I would love to understand more around how anonymity comes into play especially with more people publicaly sharing their experiences. Do you this these VSC provide a safe space for victims to go through a healing process before they can possibly speak publicly?

    You have mentioned in your paper how the Facebook block feature helps create a safe space for VSC’s to exist but I wonder how many of them are infiltrated by trolls, or worse. I think they are wonderful I just wonder how secure they are. I notice group posts on Facebook now offer users to ask questions anonymously which I imagine has been a great tool for maintaining privacy for those who are vulnerable.

    One last thought I had was TikTok trends of sharing stories, do you think this is also considered a form of VSC?

    Thanks, Kristy

    1. Hi Kristy,

      Thanks so much for reading my paper and for your very relevant questions. As I said to Mageswari, there weren’t enough words for me to cover everything that I wanted to. I intended to cover the downfalls of VSCs but didn’t feel I had enough words to do it justice. I secretly hoped that someone would ask here, and you did, so thanks!

      There is definitely scope for ‘trolls’, mean-spirited people and even perpetrators to infiltrate these groups, and I found as such in my research. Some private groups would be better than others at moderating, administering strict rules and vetting members etc. Like every area in life, education and going into situations with your eyes open to negative people is always essential. As much as Facebook requires users to use their real name, many don’t, so they can still access groups anonymously if they wish. At the same time, this means that perpetrators and trolls can also access these groups under false names and pretences. It is so crucial that moderators do their job well, and more importantly, that people who don’t feel safe take measures to keep their identities and other personal details private. I wasn’t aware of the new privacy feature for questions in FB groups; that sounds great! Reddit forums allow more anonymity, but it works both ways for members and trolls.

      However, for those who don’t feel in imminent danger and are happy to free themselves from guilt or shame by having a voice under their real name, VSCs have some value. Sexual assault and abuse have always been taboo subjects to talk about openly. Sexual assault thrives in the uncomfortable nature of disclosure or re-telling, but the more we talk openly about these crimes, the more likely we will see a shift in their prevalence. Confusion, shame, guilt or stigma creates a shroud of secrecy that helps sexual criminals. Survivors shouldn’t feel ashamed about a crime that has happened to them and should have more spaces to feel empowered in having their voice heard. Society should place the guilt and shame on perpetrators (and those who protect them) instead of on victims.

      Unfortunately, predators exist in our physical communities as well; we can never be completely safe. Many sexual assaults occur at home or are inflicted by someone known to the victim, so online communities at least offer some physical distance. From what I have seen from the few groups I have joined (as a fellow survivor), they have strict rules and advice about not having private chats with anyone and what is allowed and not allowed regarding online behaviour and sharing, etc.

      I think any platform that allows people to connect, share and participate with one another could be used to form VSCs, so yes, survivors could use TikTok in this way. But of course, safety measures would need to be in place—like in any online or physical community.

      Thanks again! Please let me know if you have any other thoughts.

      Eve

      1. Hi Eve,
        I am also a survivor and it’s only been recently that I have come to terms with my experience. I still haven’t found my voice to talk about it in great detail yet so I am not familiar with the setup of the VSC’s. I love that private chats are not allowed, this is a sensible rule.

        I wanted to come back to this paper as a couple of years ago I read Jess Hill’s book “See what you made me do” about domestic violence and last night the first episode of the docu-series based on her book aired on SBS – it made me recall your paper. I realise that your paper while along the same lines and could be about domestic violence is slightly different, but in this episode, a woman was being assisted to flee a violent relationship but her partner had installed spyware on her phone and was tracking her every movement. It made me think of the importance of anonymity especially in online groups and how there needs to be more background security around specialized groups for vulnerable people who may be at risk. It would be wonderful to have secret/private groups that had built in software that confused spyware for the safety of victims. I don’t know enough about online security to call it easy, but I wonder if it’s possible.

        – Kristy

        1. Hi Kristy,

          I’m very sorry to hear you are also a survivor, you shouldn’t have had to go through that. I appreciate you disclosing that here and hope that it helps in some way with having a voice. Everyone experiences and heals differently, there is no set timeline or way to have a voice, it is whatever people feel comfortable with and what works for them. I hope you are OK and always remember you are not alone.

          I have been talking about trauma for decades now and I only discovered VSCs during this unit, when investigating what to write my paper about. What I discovered was an eye opener, with regards to the amount of disclosure happening, diversity of survivors from all over the world, diversity in their experiences and the overwhelming needs that are not being met. The issue of sexual assault and sexual abuse is far reaching and diverse because sexual assault doesn’t discriminate, it’s not a thing that only happens to particular races or cultures, or socio-economic groups, or even just to women, it happens across the board.

          I am familiar with the great Jess Hill and her work, mainly through podcasts and interviews; I haven’t read her book or watched the new series yet. I think domestic violence crosses over into the subject of sexual assault. As my paper points out, most perpetrators of sexual assault are known to the victim. And although I haven’t researched as such, I would say many victims of DV have also been victims of sexual assault or abuse at some stage. Hill’s work on highlighting coercive control is very relevant to my topic, as similar tactics are used by rapists and abusers. In many cases CC creates confusion in the minds of the victims as to whether they ‘consented’ or not. It’s so important that the concept of coercive control is brought into the mainstream, so that it is judged as a factor when reports are made—not only for law enforcement and the courts, but for victims. I found in my research that many victims don’t disclose or seek help because they are confused about whether an assault actually took place.

          The issue of anonymity is vitally important. As I said in my other comments, it is empowering for some survivors to go into private VSCs and disclose or seek help under their real names. And in our physical communities, we make police reports and go to our GPs and counsellors under our real names too. But for the many who are in danger, they must take measures to remain safe. In saying that, I hate putting the onus on victims to change their behaviour because the onus really should be on the criminals to stop what they are doing! These criminal behaviours should be dealt with properly by the police, but too many aren’t for whatever reason. As you point out, even having anonymous social media accounts wouldn’t protect you against a perpetrator who had installed spyware on your devices. Some even put tracker devices on victim’s cars etc.

          The use of VPNs springs to mind when increasing online security, as well as installing anti-virus software that may detect spyware plugins. But as the following article points out, if your abuser has installed spyware and you remove it, it may put victims in more danger, as the perps are alerted that they have been caught out https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252485842/Use-of-spyware-apps-linked-to-domestic-abuse-soars-in-lockdown. The only way to then act is to go to the police, and we all know that in many cases the system is failing victims. So your idea about the VSC groups coming up with technology to confuse spyware, rather than remove it, is a fantastic idea!

          There are many apps that you can use on your phone for quick help and some even allow you to press a button and record conversations undetected e.g Victims Voice app. 1800 respect has a great list of apps to use (https://www.1800respect.org.au/safety-apps-mobile-phones). The ‘HelpMe app is specifically designed to send warning messages to people in your contact list. Even Dr Phil’s wife Robin has a foundation the made an app that can be used to call for the police with the touch of a button undetected https://www.whengeorgiasmiled.org/aspire-news-app/. So there are many people developing great things to make using the Internet safer.

          But all of these measures won’t 100% prevent people being assaulted. Hopefully the more these issues are talked about and made public, rather than hidden because of fear of shame or judgement, the more we will see changes to our social systems and culture to prevent these crimes from happening in the first place. To prevent people offending we need better education in schools, more social supports for families in crisis, mental health and drug and alcohol services, and more resources given to police and the justice system so perpetrators are dealt with properly.

          Take care and thanks for the great discussion!
          Eve

  11. Dear Eve, hope you keeping up well and feeling thankful that you have posted a delicate topic about how online forums contribute to the well-being of those victims. Your paper is indeed interesting as it shows that online forums give a voice for these vulnerable with post-traumatic problems. You have mentioned a lot about how it helped in their wellbeing i.e, sharing stories, connectedness, and support. However, I would like to know if these actually help them to erase these feelings or overcome them. Being sexually harassed is no small thing, it is something that actually happened to oneself. I doubt whether these communities are re-inforcing these ill-sentiments/traumas of them, making them feeling vulnerable and ‘victimised’. When a victim seek help, it is most preferable to seek a professional/expert than being ‘just heard’ by people. A professional will surely help the victim in re-strengthening the psychological aspects of that individual. ‘Counselling’ cannot be practiced by non-experts, that is from the online communities. What do you think?

    I am keen for your reply Eve <3

    You can have a look on my paper which talks about how instagram imroves the wellbeing of young women, since you are focusing on the aspect of wellbeing too 🙂

    https://networkconference.netstudies.org/2021/2021/04/26/instagram-a-virtual-platform-in-crafting-the-well-being-of-young-women/

    1. Hi Mageswari,

      Thanks so much for taking the time to read my paper. And for your considered questions; I’m really glad you asked them, as I found there wasn’t enough words for me to cover everything I wanted to.

      Firstly, I’m very sorry to hear you have been sexually harassed, that is a terrible and unfair thing for you to endure. Sexual harassment is far too prevalent in society—I too have had it happen to me. I should point out that my paper placed emphasis on sexual ‘assault’ rather than harassment. Both are very important issues, but I didn’t research the implications and supports for people who have been sexually harassed—which I think is a broader and different subject to study.

      In my experience (as a survivor), and as I found in my research, victims of sexual assault have many barriers to care and so most (around 2/3) don’t seek any help at all. This is of real concern because too many victims are suffering in silence, and are alone, ashamed and afraid. As mentioned in the paper, there are many reasons why survivors don’t seek professional support or health care. Either they can’t afford it, or are too far away from health providers, they are confused about what happened to them or are too ashamed to tell anyone (let alone a stranger over the phone or at an appointment).

      Of course, professional help is paramount if you want to process trauma, to heal and thrive after an assault; it certainly was for me. But I have found that VSCs fill a gap when services are unattainable or undesirable to victims. Many who haven’t disclosed their assault due to shame, grief, or fear, find that sharing their experiences online with other survivors gives them the strength and agency to go further and seek professional help. Most threads within these groups discuss their experiences with professional therapies such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and are great hubs to flesh out any concerns or to get information about what worked for some people. I don’t ordinarily recommend non-professionals offering counselling either, but I suppose that fellow survivors offering support is no different from anyone else getting advice from friends or family, or other community members. So, I think these VSCs have an important role to play for many victims.

      I think you have brought up a good point when you wrote that you doubt that these groups ‘are re-inforcing these ill-sentiments/traumas of them, making them feeling vulnerable and ‘victimised’;’ because it presents another issue that I didn’t have space to write about. I frequented a few of these groups to get some basis for my paper—not for research purposes, but rather as a fellow survivor. I found that some of the posts were very triggering for me and I worried if they were more detrimental than good. I even considered writing my paper from the opposite standpoint, that VSCs could have a negative impact on survivor’s well-being. But after a while of interacting and reading people’s posts, I found the opposite to be true, and my research seemed to back me up. I didn’t see any posts that were giving wrong information or were hurtful or less than positive. I’m not sure if this was because the moderators are just really good at their job, or that all members followed the rules effectively. Some groups have rules that a ‘trigger warning’ must be posted above any content that may be upsetting, and many put sufficient spaces below, so that their story can only be read by those who really wish to go there by scrolling down. So even those who were triggered by reading other’s posts, had somewhere to go to talk about their triggering experiences.

      For me, disclosure, persistent contact, pervasive awareness, belonging and ‘being heard’ are all positive behaviours and affordances for most survivors to benefit from. When many are in distress or crisis, any help they can get is better than none—and most members suggest seeking further help anyway.

      I hope this answers your questions, but please feel free to ask more if you like 

      Thanks!

      Eve

  12. Hello,
    I really enjoyed reading your paper which is very interesting and is surely a fact in today’s times where people are sexually bullied. It is indeed true that with those sexual assault there are some people who become disturbed and have a sense of fear within themselves as well as gets traumatised. I believe that these acts for younger children should definitely stop because this can affect themselves where they can take the initiative to take a wrong step which could destroy their future. Also, there should be a kind of help to those people where they can share their issues and seek help of course. Thank you very much for providing details of your paper which I found very helpful.

    Please do read my paper on whether younger adults should provide their authentic self on social media. Please do share your point of view. Here is the link,

    https://networkconference.netstudies.org/2021/2021/04/26/is-social-media-an-effective-tool-for-young-adults-to-expose-their-authentic-self-to-present-themselves/

    1. Hi Tiloshna,

      Thank you for taking the time to read my paper and for your comment. I agree the issues of sexual assault in society are important to discuss so we can find solutions to help victims of these crimes but also so prevent them from happening in the first place. I would argue that that almost all victims of sexual assault feel ‘disturbed and have a sense of fear within themselves as well as gets traumatised’ as you say.

      You mentioned ‘sexual bullying’, are there any examples you could give me to explain what sexual bullying is to you? Also, I’m not sure I understand your meaning, ‘I believe that these acts for younger children should definitely stop because this can affect themselves where they can take the initiative to take a wrong step which could destroy their future’, I’d love to hear more of your views on this so I can better understand your comment.

      I totally agree there needs to be more help for survivors to share their issues and seek help, I don’t think there is enough out there.

      I’m very glad that you found my paper helpful. I will have a read of yours too.

      Kind regards,
      Eve Kelly

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