A doctoral student from the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM) has raised concerns about the targeting of women within online incel communities, shedding light on the disturbing exchanges in a male-dominated virtual forum.
The rise of violence against women in the digital sphere has been a concerning trend, with the genesis of certain crimes against women originating online. This issue is at the forefront as we approach the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, scheduled for Tuesday.
Océane Corbin, a communication doctoral student at UQAM, delved deep into the realm of incels, or “involuntary celibates,” over a span of three years. These forums, accessible to the public, are predominantly frequented by heterosexual men struggling with forming relationships with women due to various reasons.
Corbin highlighted that these individuals tend to hold women and their empowerment responsible for their single status, perpetuating toxic ideologies within the community.
The masculinist movement, predominantly consisting of men aged 13 to 30, has been known to express desires to commit violence against women as a form of punishment for their emancipation. Corbin revealed encountering disturbing content during her research, including discussions about drugging individuals before assaulting them and confessions of sexual assaults and rape fantasies.
She emphasized the prevalence of messages advocating sexual assault posted at alarming frequencies, indicating the gravity of the situation.
The issue isn’t confined to international platforms; Quebec has also seen the emergence of similar forums perpetuating masculinist and incel ideologies.
Corbin highlighted the challenges in regulating such online spaces, particularly due to their origins in the United States. She stressed the urgent need for legislative measures to address the gaps in monitoring and controlling these harmful platforms.
While acknowledging the ongoing efforts to introduce legislation targeting online sexual assault threats in Quebec, Corbin emphasized the importance of education in combating the incel movement. She underscored the significance of equipping young men with the tools to critically analyze and challenge the narratives propagated within these communities.
