Shifting the Rape Script: "Coming Out" Online as a Rape Victim

Loney-Howes, Rachel

doi:10.1353/fro.2018.a698452

Cited by 9 publications

(19 citation statements)

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“…Accordingly, disclosure was constructed as an instrument for recovery in coming to terms with the abuse experienced by processing it (Linabary et al, 2020; Lusky-Weisrose et al, 2021; Naresh et al, 2022). Specifically, this need for a therapeutic source was related to the victimization narrative construction by finding new meanings in these experiences (Gueta et al, 2020; Loney-Howes, 2018; Lusky-Weisrose et al, 2021).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Other emotional needs that motivated survivors to make online disclosures included seeking emotional support and practical advice about coping practices, such as how to write a victim impact statement (Lusky-Weisrose et al, 2021; O’Neill, 2018) or learn their legal rights since legislation protecting women against SV is rather recent (Watanabe et al, 2022). Other needs for support were focused on the wish to be believed and validated by a community of peers given their struggles to understand their victimization and the fact that these needs were not addressed by other outlets such as the justice system (Dey & Mendes, 2022; Fileborn, 2017; Loney-Howes, 2018; Lusky-Weisrose et al, 2021; Naresh et al, 2022; Moors & Webber, 2013; O’Neill, 2018; Yalcinoz-Ucan & Eslen-Ziya, 2023).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, this interpersonal approach motivation was also related to supporting other survivors also struggling with their recovery journeys, by providing encouragement and validation and sharing stories of personal achievement and recovery to instill a sense of hope for recovery (Barta, 2021; Dey & Mendes, 2022; Fawcett & Shrestha, 2016; Fileborn, 2017; Loney-Howes, 2018; Gueta et al, 2020; Gundersen & Zaleski, 2021; Masciantonio et al, 2021; Naresh et al, 2022; O’Neill, 2022; Watanabe et al, 2022). As one survivor stated: “I try to use social media as like, ‘I’m here if you need to talk.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The third aspect of empowerment experienced by some survivors was an identity change from a victim to a resilient social activist. This empowering aspect was embedded in online disclosure as a political practice of creating institutional change through adequate policies and practices addressing GBV (Dey & Mendes, 2022;Gueta et al, 2020;Gundersen & Zaleski, 2021;Loney-Howes, 2018). However, with a critical lens, Harrington (2019Harrington ( , p. 1188) also showed the economic benefits of disclosure as she indicated how "Survivors used my Rape Story" YouTube Videos as a "commodity that creators may use to self-brand and emotionally connect with a following."…”

Section: The Aftermath Phase Of Online Disclosure: the Impact Of Onli...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In contrast to the well-established literature regarding offline disclosure outcomes, only a few studies have specifically addressed the outcomes of online disclosure in terms of recovery. Those studies stressed benefits survivors receive such as validation and support that was often unavailable offline (Fawcett & Shrestha, 2016; Gallagher et al, 2019; Loney-Howes, 2018), and pursuing alternative forms of justice (Fileborn, 2017; Loney-Howes, 2018). Social reactions online can be associated with both social support and validation, as well as secondary victimization because of the potential receipt of adverse social reactions (Bogen, Orchowski, et al, 2021; Gueta et al, 2020).…”

Section: Online and Offline Disclosure Of Interpersonal Victimizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Process of Online Disclosures of Interpersonal Victimization: A Systematic Review

Gueta,

Klar-Chalamish,

Ullman

2023

Trauma, Violence, & Abuse

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Theory and research on disclosure of interpersonal victimization, including intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and child abuse, has produced rich scholarship promoting a greater understanding of the challenges and implications of disclosure for survivors. However, in the last decade, social media platforms have opened new online disclosure opportunities that diverge from and overlap with offline disclosure. This highlights the need for adaptation and elaboration of theorizing in this growing area of study. Thus, the study aimed to systematically review the studies published in scientific literature. The following databases were accessed Criminal Justice Abstracts, Medline PsychInfo, Social Work Abstracts, Sociological Abstracts, Web of Science database, and Google Scholar. Twenty-seven studies met the inclusion criteria of peer-reviewed status and focused on the disclosure process. A thematic analysis revealed that online disclosure of interpersonal victimization is a multi-phase (decision-making and disclosure aftermath) and multifactorial (individual, interpersonal, social, and technological) experience for survivors. Specifically, survivors’ motivation was related to therapeutic goals, social support, and a desire to advocate for social change. Survivors faced numerous facilitators (e.g., inspiration from other online disclosures) and barriers (e.g., fear of triggering other survivors) to disclosure. The impact of online disclosure was divided into benefits (e.g., empowerment) and risks (e.g., undermining survivors’ security). The conceptual and empirical limitations of the current research are discussed, including a need for quantitative methods with larger samples and longitudinal designs to better understand how survivors can best benefit from processes of online disclosure, while avoiding harm or re-traumatization.

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