Digital abuse does not originate with technology. It begins with culture.
The attitudes that fuel online harassment, such as misogyny, racism and queerphobia, are culturally embedded long before they appear as comments, messages, deepfakes or coercive online behaviour. What we see online is an amplification of the narratives we inherit offline. And these cultural narratives soon become behavioural templates. When women’s images are treated as public property and when girls’ voices are dismissed, these attitudes migrate seamlessly into the digital space. Technology may be accelerating the harm, but it gets its permission from culture.
To reduce digital abuse, cultural spaces – such as museums and galleries – can play a vital role in transforming the cultural climate that allows this harm to seem normal, acceptable and inevitable. Through storytelling, representation and critical reflection, cultural spaces can and should challenge the norms that shape how women and girls are seen.
During the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (2025), we are highlighting women photographers, artists and curators whose work confronts misogyny and male violence – artists who reclaim their narratives and challenge harmful visual tropes. Their work helps us understand digital harm not only as a technological issue, but as a cultural one. We aim to build a public resource – a growing database of women artists exploring male violence in its many forms.
Suggestions are always welcome! Tag us or the artist on social media or drop us a line: hello@hundredheroines.org
