Gender-based violence researchers, feminists and activists use the term “rape culture” to describe a society where violence against women, girls and gender-diverse people is normalized, victims are blamed and perpetrators are routinely excused.
Earlier this month, it reared its head again: this time among school-aged youth in an Alberta school.
Boys at Camrose Composite High School reportedly listed girls they wanted to sexually assault or mutilate in a series of Snapchat group messages. One boy reportedly called himself a “rapist” in the chat.
Following this discovery, students walked out in protest against this technology-facilitated gender-based violence.
Technology-facilitated gender-based violence involves the use of digital and emerging technologies to stalk, surveil, harass or humiliate a target — typically a woman, girl or member of an additionally equity-denied group.
