Digital Violence, Faith, and the Future of VAWG Prevention in Northern Ireland

Abstract

This article examines the intersection of digital violence, faith and violence against women and girls (VAWG) in Northern Ireland. Produced in connection with UN Women's 2025 16 Days of Activism campaign, it considers how online violence interacts with religious identity, community expectations and gender norms. The article is informed by work within the Faith & VAWG Coalition and demonstrates that digital forms of misogyny cannot always be separated from the cultural and religious contexts in which women live.
The resource is useful for faith organisations because it shows how digital abuse can intersect with existing forms of patriarchal control. It highlights the role that faith communities can play in prevention, including challenging harmful narratives and creating environments in which women can safely disclose abuse and access support. It also broadens the discussion of faith and GBV beyond domestic violence to include the rapidly developing field of technology-facilitated violence against women.