A recent report by Refuge and End Violence Against Women reveals significant shortcomings in how police and social media platforms handle online abuse complaints from women. Many victims, like Jane, report feeling dismissed and victim-blamed, with inadequate support from authorities and tech companies. The report indicates that a large percentage of women experience online violence, yet many do not report these incidents due to a lack of faith in the response they will receive.
The findings show that nearly half of young women have faced online violence, with many feeling that their complaints are not taken seriously. While Ofcom has introduced guidance for tech companies to address these issues, the report emphasizes the need for stronger accountability and legal responsibility to protect women from online abuse.