Gender-Based Violence and Cyber-Helping: The Affordance of Dedicated Apps Between Opportunities and Obstacles

Titolo Rivista WELFARE E ERGONOMIA
Autori/Curatori Daniele Battista, Marianna Coppola
Anno di pubblicazione 2026 Fascicolo 2025/2
Lingua Inglese Numero pagine 11 P. 169-179 Dimensione file 106 KB
DOI 10.3280/WE2025-002012
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The fight against gender-based violence has involved a wide range of social actors, supported by digital expansion and the proliferation of social media. Information has become more accessible and immediate, contributing to greater visibility of the phenomenon and the activation of awareness and support pathways. In this context, the call for help has found new forms of expression through digital technologies, which allow victims - women and gender non-conforming individuals - to interact anonymously, directly and safely with support services. The use of free and easily accessible apps has introduced new perceived safe environments where abuse can be reported and assistance can be received. This study presents a comparative analysis of the YouPol and App1522 apps, digital tools currently active in the Italian landscape to combat gender-based violence. The aim is to highlight their goals, potential, limitations and barriers, to propose technological and functional improvements. The study seeks to contribute to the strengthening of the support system, making the protection network for victims more effective and widespread, while promoting a culture of prevention and timely intervention.

La lotta contro la violenza di genere ha coinvolto trasversalmente una miriade di attori sociali, favorita dall’espansione digitale e dalla proliferazione dei social media. L’informazione è divenuta più accessibile e immediata, contribuendo a una maggiore visibilità del fenomeno e all’attivazione di percorsi di sensibilizzazione e supporto. In questo contesto, la richiesta di aiuto ha trovato nuove forme di espressione grazie alle tecnologie digitali, che permettono alle vittime – donne e identità di genere non conformi – di interagire in modo anonimo, diretto e sicuro con i servizi di sostegno. L’uso di app gratuite e facilmente accessibili ha introdotto inediti ambienti percepiti come protetti, dove è possibile segnalare abusi e ricevere assistenza. Il presente lavoro propone un’analisi comparativa delle app YouPol e App1522, strumenti digitali attivi nel panorama italiano per il contrasto alla violenza di genere. L’obiettivo è evidenziarne finalità, potenzialità, limiti e barriere, al fine di proporre miglioramenti tecnologici e funzionali. Lo studio intende contribuire al potenziamento del sistema di supporto, rendendo più efficace e capillare la rete di protezione per le vittime e promuovendo una cultura della prevenzione e dell’intervento tempestivo.

Parole chiave:Violenza di genere; App digitali; supporto; anonimato; Cyber-helping; Welfare digitale.

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Daniele Battista, Marianna Coppola, Gender-Based Violence and Cyber-Helping: The Affordance of Dedicated Apps Between Opportunities and Obstacles in "WELFARE E ERGONOMIA" 2/2025, pp 169-179, DOI: 10.3280/WE2025-002012