Social Impact
Key Insights
Patterns Identified
Social repercussions included increased familial
control and isolation. Many survivors reported
that their families imposed restrictions on their
digital presence to mitigate perceived risks to
family reputation. This not only limited
survivors’ access to online spaces but also
strained their relationships with close circles,
leading to diminished trust and emotional
support. In many cases, victim-blaming further
reinforced isolation, leaving survivors without
essential social and familial connections.
• Family
Illustrative
Reflections
One survivor shared how their family forbade
them from using social media, citing safety
concerns.
“My family told me to delete all my
accounts. They think this will protect
me, but it just makes me feel
isolated.”
Others described how their communities treated
them with skepticism or outright blame
following incidents of TFGBV.
Dynamics: Survivors faced
heightened surveillance and limitations on
their online activities, often at the expense of
their autonomy.
• Community Stigma: Survivors experienced
judgment and blame, further isolating them
from their social networks.
Discussion
Cultural norms surrounding honor and
reputation exacerbate the social consequences of
TFGBV, particularly for women. These social
limitations often discourage survivors from
seeking support and perpetuate harmful gender
norms. This social silencing is especially
significant when examining the political impact,
where these same norms hinder women's
participation in public life and political
engagement.
“People in my community blame me
for what happened. They say I
should have been more careful, as if
it’s my fault.”
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