ABSTRACT
This chapter considers key literature in the growing area of research into cyber sexual harassment, points to some promising directions, draws parallels between cultural responses to it and to domestic violence, and recounts key instances of harassment, stalking, and threats of physical violence online. After being harassed, women shut down blogs, close Twitter accounts, and leave Facebook; harassment causes women to avoid chat rooms. Women fear that online threats of rape and murder will be carried out in real life. This self-censorship silences women. Journalist Caroline Criado-Perez campaigned for the Bank of England to add women to the historical figures featured on banknotes. However, receiving digital media threats of violence, rape, and murder are daily occurrences for female journalists. Compelling evidence suggests that the internet is the newest location for male intimidation of and violence against women, and unique harms are enabled by new technologies. Verbal and cyber abuse addresses professional women as sexual objects, compromising their reputations as professionals.
