[Commlist] CFP - Dangerous Connections: Technology and Gender Violence in the Digital Age

Rivista Sociologia della comunicazione
_https://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/sommario/52/sociologia-della-comunicazione 
<https://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/sommario/52/sociologia-della-comunicazione>_
Call for papers
Numero monografico della rivista Sociologia della comunicazione
n. 70, 2025
Guest editors: Chiara Gius e Antonella Mascio (University of Bologna)

Deadline for article submission: 1 July 2025
*Dangerous Connections: Technology and Gender Violence in the Digital Age*
Cyber-violence against women and girls (Cyber-VAWG) encompasses a wide 
range of abuses made possible by the use of digital technologies. These 
violent practices can affect women and girls while they are online or be 
perpetrated even when they are offline. Such abuses are deeply rooted in 
gender dynamics, perpetuating traditional systems of inequality that 
characterize society at large (see Brown & Hegarty, 2021; Daniels, 2009; 
EIGE, 2017; Jane, 2017; Medeiros de Araújo et al., 2022; Morahan-Martin, 
2000; Plan International, 2020; UNFPA 2021; Powell et al., 2024; Uhl et 
al., 2018).
A part of the emerging research dedicated to the study of cyber-VAWG has 
focused on the nature and prevalence of this form of violence, with the 
goal of better understanding the profiles of victims/survivors (i.e., 
Powell, 2022) and perpetrators. Some analyses have concentrated on 
factors contributing to digital risk exposure and the specific 
manifestations of this type of violence. For example, Hall, Hearn, and 
Lewis (2023) conducted an in-depth exploration of abuses such as 
upskirting, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, and verbal abuse 
online against feminist activists, contributing significantly to this 
field (see Medeiros de Araújo et al., 2022; Muheed et al., 2022; Powell 
et al., 2024). Other studies have focused on the relationship between 
technology, cyber-violence, and the patriarchal system (e.g., Li et al., 
2024; Faith, 2022; Gius, 2022, 2023; Hall et al., 2023, 2024; Uhl, 
2018). These are important works, highlighting how gender dynamics and 
power structures are determinants in shaping cyber-VAWG, revealing 
unique features made possible by digital technologies. These include the 
ability of cyber-VAWG to transcend physical and digital boundaries, 
break the traditional separation between public and private spaces, and 
surpass geographical and temporal limits (Harris & Woodlock, 2018; 
Powell & Henry, 2017). Moreover, this form of violence is characterized 
by the capacity to sustain persistent and pervasive forms of abuse, 
often perceived as "boundless" (Hall et al., 2023, 2024).
Although recent studies have highlighted a gradual move towards a 
general agreement on the conceptualization of cyber-VAWG, several 
elements surrounding its definition remain contested. Among the widely 
debated issues is, for instance, the recognition of cyber-VAWG as a 
specific form of violence, or the possibility of including crimes 
committed against minors within its scope (Koukopoulos et al., 2025). 
This debate is further complicated by the lack of empirical studies that 
examine cyber-VAWG through intersectional methodologies or focus on 
countermeasures and dynamics of perpetration beyond research on the 
so-called “manosphere.” Additionally, the role of platform governance 
and the intersection between technological design and user agency remain 
underexplored. Similarly, there is a need for studies addressing how 
cyber-VAWG is discussed and narrated in the public sphere and the 
strategies implemented to counter it, both in terms of policies and the 
development of media education initiatives aimed at its prevention.
In light of these elements, the editors of this volume invite 
theoretical reflections and empirical analyses that include, but are not 
limited to:

  * Conceptualization of cyber-violence within a gender framework.
  * Original research on digital gender-based violence.
  * Intersectional studies on cyber-VAWG.
  * Representations of cyber-violence against women and girls in news
    and fictional media, as well as in prevention policies and programs.
  * Studies on strategies of response and resistance to digital
    gender-based violence from the perspective of policies, platforms,
    or feminist movements.
  * Educational and media-educational perspectives on digital
    gender-based violence.

Authors interested are invited to send an unpublished article of *max. 
45.000 characters* (including spaces and bibliography) either in 
*Italian* or *English* by *July 1, 2025* to the curators of the issue at 
*(chiara.gius /at/ unibo.it)* and *(antonella.mascio /at/ unibo.it)* and at the 
attention of the editor and the editorial board of the Journal (Roberta 
Bartoletti _r 
<mailto:(roberta.bartoletti2 /at/ unibo.it)>_*(_oberta.bartoletti2 /at/ unibo.it) 
<mailto:(roberta.bartoletti2 /at/ unibo.it)>_***and Stefania Antonioni 
*(stefania.antonioni /at/ uniurb.it)*); articles must also be uploaded to the 
Journal's platform along with an abstract in Italian and English of 
600-750 characters and an author profile of 300-500 characters.
In the selection process, preference will be given to proposals that 
offer an advancement of knowledge and innovative elements in the current 
scientific debate, in theoretical terms, methodological or empirical 
evidence.
For editing the article, please refer to the editorial rules that can be 
downloaded from the journal's website: 
https://francoangeli.azureedge.net/fa-contenuti/riviste/nr/sc-norme.pdf.
Articles will be double-blind refereed and publication will be subject 
to the outcome of the evaluation. A maximum of 7 articles will be 
published. Authors are invited to contact the editors of the issue for a 
preliminary assessment of the relevance of the article they intend to 
submit.
For information: 
https://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/sommario.aspx?IDRivista=52&lingua=EN 
<https://www.francoangeli.it/riviste/sommario.aspx?IDRivista=52&lingua=EN>
**
**
*References*
**
Brown, C., & Hegarty, K. (2021). Digital abuse and harassment: 
Experiences of women in the online environment. /Journal of 
Interpersonal Violence/, /36/(15–16), NP8316–NP8343.
Daniels, J. (2009). Rethinking cyberfeminism(s): Race, gender, and 
embodiment. /WSQ: Women’ s Studies Quarterly/, /37/(1–2), 101–124.
European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE). (2017). /Cyber violence 
against women and girls/.
https://eige.europa.eu/publications/cyber-violence-against-women-and-girls
Faith, B. (2018). /What works to prevent cyber violence against women 
and girls?/ VAWG Helpdesk Research Report No. 212.
Flynn, A., Powell, A., & Hindes, S. (2024). An intersectional analysis 
of technology-facilitated abuse: Prevalence, experiences and impacts of 
victimization. /The British Journal of Criminology/, /64/(3), 600-619.
Gius, C. (2022). Addressing the blurred question of responsibility: 
Insights from online news comments on a case of nonconsensual 
pornography. /Journal of Gender Studies./ /31(2),/ 193–203.
Gius, C. (2023). (Re)thinking gender in cyber-violence: Insights from 
awareness-raising campaigns on online violence against women and girls 
in Italy/. Media Education, 14, 95–106/
Hall, R., Hearn, J., & Lewis, R. (2023). Revisiting gender, technology, 
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Hall, R., Hearn, J., & Lewis, R. (2024). Digital gender-based violence: 
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Harris, B., & Woodlock, D. (2018). Digital coercive control: Insights 
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  Uhl, C., Roloff, M. E., & Luo, Y. (2018). Examination of 
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