Online disclosure of sexual victimisation: A systematic review

We map the available scientific literature on how and why victims of sexual violence are using digital platforms in the aftermath of victimisation. Twenty-four empirical studies on sexual victimisation and online disclosure were identified by systematically searching Web of Science and PsycINFO, checking reference lists and consulting authors about relevant publications. The literature on online disclosure of sexual victimisation does not yield a coherent picture. International literature pays limited attention to the various components of online disclosure like the characteristics of victims who disclosure online and the characteristics of the disclosure messages. Most studies focused on motivations for and reactions to online disclosure. Victims of sexual violence disclose sexual victimisation online to seek support, for clarification and validation, unburdening, documenting, seeking justice, informing others or commercial goals (individual-oriented disclosure) and to provide support, educate and as a form of activism (other-oriented disclosure). Responses to online disclosure are predominantly positive, containing advocacy and support. Negative responses are rare. This review provides a comprehensive overview of multidisciplinary empirical information and displays knowledge gaps in victimological research. Future research should use a robust quantitative and/or qualitative design with a substantial sample size, comparing victims who do disclose their sexual victimisation online with victims who do not, and compare disclosure on different online platforms to increase generalisability of the results. Potential for online informal support is identified, in which online disclosure can serve as a relatively safe alternative to offline disclosure. This offers important points of intervention for assistance and victim support by social workers in facilitating the use of the internet for support for victims of sexual violence.