Beyond words : qualitative study on survivors' experiences of the decision-making process of disclosing sexual violence on social media

Abstract

Disclosure of sexual violence is crucial for survivors' well-being and recovery. In recent years a shift has emerged in disclosures of sexual violence, particularly in the context of the evolving role of social media and movements like #MeToo. While social media offers a platform for disclosure with appealing benefits, it also poses risks. Although motivations and barriers to online disclosure have been explored, the decision-making process remains understudied. This study aimed to investigate the decision-making process of disclosing sexual violence on social media from the perspectives of Icelandic survivors, highlighting motivations, barriers, and impacts on well-being and recovery. Qualitative semi-structured interviews with eight survivors were conducted and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Motivations for disclosure included a desire to feel better, advocacy, wanting to control the narrative, handing the shame back, and seeking support. The barriers the survivors faced were fear of negative outcomes, shame, privacy concerns, a desire to protect others, and lack of support. Despite facing these obstacles, all survivors disclosed. All survivors could positively link the disclosure to improvements in well-being or recovery. While many showed signs of internal growth, leading to empowerment, external influences had varying impacts. Significantly, no survivor regretted their decision to disclose on social media, and all could recognize positive effects on their well-being or recovery. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding sexual violence disclosure on social media. It underscores the importance of prioritizing survivors' needs to pave the way for a supportive environment where all feel empowered to disclose.