Current controversies: technology-facilitated sexual violence

Digital technologies have unequivocally transformed contemporary social life, with profound effects on information exchange and access, social interaction, democratic participation, and even emancipatory social change. Despite the seemingly endless possibilities offered by rapidly developing digital technologies, the Internet serves as a "breeding ground" (Levmore & Nussbaum, 2010) for trolls, hackers, and underground criminal enterprises looking for new ways to extort, humiliate, and abuse victims (Levmore & Nussbaum, 2010). Perpetrators of domestic and sexual violence are no different and will use whatever tools are on hand to exert power and control over their victims. But how are digital technologies being used to facilitate sexual violence and harassment? And can technology play a role in preventing or addressing these harms?