Finding safety in the mask: how platform anonymity and the COVID-19 pandemic affects domestic violence disclosures

Background Domestic violence (DV) can result in serious consequences for victims. Social media has emerged as an alternative venue for DV victims to share their experiences while seeking potential support, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite some studies exploring the characterization of DV disclosure in social media, a systematic investigation of the dimensions of DV characteristics remains lacking. Moreover, empirical evidence for DV disclosure in social media remains limited. In particular, the effects of platform anonymity and the COVID-19 pandemic on DV disclosure are largely overlooked. Methods To address the literature gaps, this study examines DV dimensions, including depth, breadth, and severity, through a detailed characterization of victimization disclosure in social media communities. More importantly, it empirically investigates the effects of platform anonymity and the pandemic on DV disclosure by analyzing data collected from different social media platforms, spanning both pre-pandemic and post-pandemic declaration periods. Results Our results show that the effects of anonymity are consistently strong and statistically significant across depth, breadth, and severity, whereas the effects of the pandemic on DV disclosures in social media are less consistent and should be interpreted more cautiously. Conclusions The findings not only deepen our understanding of the factors contributing to DV disclosure on social media but also offer valuable guidance for designing platform features and developing effective online interventions to address DV.