Milton Keynes professor reports 'shocking' levels of online violence experienced by girls
A professor at the Open University found worrying levels of violence experienced by girls and women online.
The Open University surveyed 7,500 adults across the UK and the results some concerning gender divides.
The findings reveal that over one in 10 women in England have experienced online violence, with higher figures for those aged 16-24, reaching 25%.
Numbers are even higher when it comes to LGB+ women, with 35% surveyed reporting having experienced online violence.
"...sexist, misogynistic, threatening..."
Dr Olga Jurasz, Senior Lecturer in Law at The Open University, said: "Online violence is an umbrella term for different types of violence."
The types of violence described by Dr Jurasz include photography form, however the most common form reported by women is text-based.
She said: "Some acts are text based, so we're talking about messages in the form of Tweets or Facebook and Instagram posts."
"Messages are sexist, misogynistic, threatening, and very often taking the form of threat of offline violence."
Of those women, 13% actually reported the violence to progressed offline.
When they experience online violence, women often turn to friends and family for support, with only 6% turning to police for help.
Dr Jurasz added: "There is an overwhelming support to make online violence to women and girls a criminal offence."
The hope is for a change in legislation that condemns and persecutes all forms of online violence.