Indonesian Online Gender-Based Violence Victims' Empowerment and Support via Instagram

This study examines Instagram’s role in empowering and supporting victims of Online Gender-Based Violence (OGBV) in Indonesia. While social media is often a site of digital harm, it also functions as a space for advocacy, peer support, and resistance against gender-based oppression. Through content observation and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), this study analyzes 6 (six) Instagram posts in total, including 3 (three) posts from @perempuanberkisah and 2 (two) posts from @poppydihardjo. It aims to investigate how user-generated content challenges dominant narratives, facilitates solidarity, and fosters digital activism. Findings indicate that Instagram empowers victims by enabling them to share experiences, connect with support communities, and advocate for change. @perempuanberkisah provides a safe space for anonymous storytelling, while @poppydihardjo raises awareness through artistic and satirical content. Instagram’s features, such as reporting and blocking, offer victims some control over their online safety. However, challenges persist, including fear, threats, and the anonymity of perpetrators, which discourage victims from speaking out. Strengthening digital safety requires collaboration among government institutions, civil society organizations, and digital platforms. Key efforts include enhancing digital literacy, enforcing stricter content moderation, revising the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law, and advocating for comprehensive legal reforms, such as the ratification of the Law on Sexual Violence, to ensure a safer digital environment.