The second chapter of the policy “From silence to action”, an intervention plan against digital gender violence in the world of work, was presented by Valore D, the first business association in Italy to promote gender balance and a culture of inclusion, and PersensoNegato, an association that supports victims of the non-consensual distribution of intimate material and online violence, in collaboration with the Una Nuovi Centomila Foundation.
Digital gender violence in work contexts, it has been explained, hinders women’s professional growth with lost productivity, self-censorship, and restrictions on online presence to the point of leaving the workplace, but its impact extends throughout the organization, weakening team cohesion and corporate reputation. To implement concrete interventions in the workplace, “a strategic action plan is needed, structured and integrated into all company processes, avoiding sporadic initiatives or communication campaigns that are not carried out directly”.
The indications given in the plan include risk mapping, introduction of a digital code of ethics and behavior, as well as reputation crisis management protocols. And again: ongoing training, victim support, guaranteed anonymous reporting channels, psychological and legal support and a company culture that condemns all forms of victim blaming.
“With our policy, we want to offer a model of reference and shared commitment to companies: creating a safe digital environment, fighting discrimination and supporting those who are victims of it. Only by joining forces, institutions, business, media and civil society, can we turn awareness into action” comments Barbara Falcomer, General Director of Valore D. “Digital consent is a big absence in contemporary online culture. Our data, images, digital identities are ours and we must invest in consent consciously” adds Nicole Monte, vice president of Permetto Denied.
Only 4 in 10 Italians are aware of forms of harassment such as sextortion and doxing. 64% believe that online gender violence can also occur in work contexts. This was revealed from the latest OsservatorioD survey conducted by Swg for Valore D.
Although on the one hand awareness of the topic of online gender violence is widespread and almost 75% of Italians are aware of phenomena such as cyberbullying, revenge pornography and online sexual harassment, knowledge breaks down when it comes to less known forms such as gender violence. sex blackmail (blackmail using intimate images) or doxing (dissemination of personal and sensitive information online), with data falling below 40%.
The phenomenon of online gender violence is particularly impacting the new generation: 15% of those interviewed aged between 18 and 34 stated that they had personally experienced an episode of this kind and 23% of the same age group knew someone who had been a victim.
More than 80% of those interviewed consider gender violence a serious problem, which has a real impact on mental health, 78% attribute it directly to a lack of digital and emotional education, and 63%, especially young people and women, admit that such violence stems from patriarchy.
A problem that concerns not only the personal sphere, but also professional life: 64% of those interviewed believe that online gender violence can occur not only in personal life, but also in the work context and 3 out of 4 Italians want a firmer commitment from digital platforms, but also from institutions, schools and companies.
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