Breaking the Silence on Instagram: Cyberphenomenology and Survivor Narratives on Instagram

Abstract

This study tackles an important gap in research regarding the digital empowerment of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) survivors, specifically examining how they use social media, particularly Instagram, to voice their experiences and break the silence surrounding their trauma. Utilizing a cyberphenomenological approach, the research delves into how survivors portray themselves through digital avatars and investigates the motivations behind their public disclosures. Key questions addressed include the methods of disclosure, the reasons behind them, and the impact of the "Break the Silence" movement on the recovery journeys of survivors. The findings indicate that survivors’ motivations for sharing their stories align with three main objectives: pursuing legal action, achieving self-acceptance, and seeking community support. The "motives for" disclosure encompass the desire for justice, offering support, and raising public awareness, while the "motives due to" disclosure are linked to the presence of perpetrators, insufficient support, and societal stigma. Through social media, survivors navigate intricate digital environments that act as a "second life," allowing them to engage continuously in self-healing and advocacy roles, including being content creators and supporters for others affected. The study underscores the transformative potential of social media for both personal and communal recovery, suggesting that digital platforms provide a unique and empowering space for survivors. These findings enhance our understanding of survivor agency and may inform future social and psychological support frameworks, promoting a culture that recognizes survivors as empowered individuals, especially within the changing societal landscape of Indonesia.