Women's Early Experiences with Online Stranger Sexual Harassment

This research explored women's early experiences with male-perpetrated online stranger sexual harassment, including the age at which it occurred and its nature and impact. Most participants reported early experiences with unwanted sexual communication, most often beginning in their adolescence. Perpetrators were typically older males seeking a younger, pubescent girl to whom he would livestream masturbation, send dickpics or pornography, or offer money for sex. These communications elicited fear, disgust, anger, confusion around sexual development, and distrust of men. These experiences are prevalent and have enduring impact, reinforcing the need for policy, education, and clinical interventions.