Understanding adolescent girls’ perspectives on barriers and facilitators to help-seeking for slut-shaming

Année :
Référence

*Lavigne RM, Martin-Storey A, Paquette G, Boutin S, Dirks M, Lemelin JP. (2025). Understanding adolescent girls’ perspectives on barriers and facilitators to help-seeking for slut-shaming. Journal of School Violence, 24(4), 571-585.

Résumé

Slut-shaming is a popular concept wherein a person (typically girls or women) experiences social sanctioning for engaging in sexual or sexualized behaviors considered in excess of traditional norms relating to female sexuality. The aim of this study was to explore how adolescent girls perceive and interpret slut-shaming, focusing on support seeking for this type of victimization. A thematic analysis was conducted on semi-structured interviews with 19 adolescent girls aged 12–17. The findings revealed three primary themes: Conceptualizations of slut-shaming, Explanations for slut-shaming, and Barriers and facilitators to help-seeking for slut-shaming. Barriers identified included the ineffectiveness of available supports, the normalization of slut-shaming, and feelings of discomfort or shame. Findings emphasize the need for school-based initiatives targeting slut-shaming.

DOI