The Role of Instagram in Disclosures of Campus Sexual Violence

This qualitative research study explored social media, particularly Instagram, as a platform for disclosures of sexual violence among college students. Given the stigma and victim-blame often associated with formal disclosures, anonymous social media platforms can offer survivors a unique space to share their stories, build community, and engage in activism. This research seeks to contribute to the ongoing scholarship about the role of digital platforms in supporting survivors. The study analyzed 232 posts from an Instagram profile dedicated to survivors of campus sexual violence, collected between May 2020 and June 2023. Data analysis was conducted using thematic analysis. Themes that emerged showed the importance of an anonymous and public space for disclosure, reflections of sexual violence within the specific context of campus environments, and dynamics of consent. Understanding the role of social media within the context of student disclosures of sexual violence has the potential to enhance the existing knowledge of student experiences, which, in turn, can inform how campuses respond to sexual violence, including the tailoring of prevention, intervention, and policy efforts focused on supporting students after trauma, along with resources for mental health clinicians.