Dear Colleagues,

There is a recognised body of literature that has well established the nature and extent of domestic violence among adults. This literature has been accompanied, and very much welcomed, by an increasing number of studies focusing on what is often termed dating violence or intimate partner violence, among adolescent populations. This has further been developed in recent years by research exploring the role and use of digital technologies in the perpetration and victimisation of dating abuse among adolescents (and adults too), despite those under the age of 16 still not being recognised in the UK government definition of domestic violence. In fact, the role of digital technology in dating violence has been subject to increased academic and practitioner concern. While developments in digital and communication technologies have brought many benefits in all aspects of life, it has also brought with it risks. Digital technologies are widely used by adolescents as a method to communicate, develop and maintain relationships with both friends and romantic partners. In terms of Technology-Assisted Adolescent Dating Violence and Abuse (TAADVA), adolescents are particularly vulnerable due to their relative immaturity, a lack of experience of romantic relationships, and their level of digital literacy in terms of awareness of privacy and being safe online. As such, they may also have more tolerant attitudes towards TAADVA and the acceptability of such behaviours may be normalised.  Importantly, TAADVA is recognised as a new method in which partners can abuse, monitor and control a victim. For some victims, technology is used as an additional tool of abuse for their partners, while for others, technology may create new opportunities for abuse that might not have occurred offline. Research on TAADVA is still in its relative  infancy; therefore, further research is welcomed that examines this issue in terms of its measurement, typologies of violence, risk factors, and the impact of such forms of abuse, along with the exploration of how behaviour online may be viewed as different to that offline (i.e., blurred boundaries, less regulation, online disinhibition), as such issues could be influential for adolescents at a time when they are learning and exploring relationships and digital technologies more independently. This Special Issue, therefore, will compose a selection of original articles from leading authors in the field with the aim of bringing together the latest knowledge and recommendations for addressing TAADVA and taking research on this issue a step further.

Dr. Karlie E. Stonard
Guest Editor

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• adolescent(ce)
• youth
• dating violence
• technology-assisted dating violence
• cyber harassment
• gender-based violence
• psychological abuse
• coercive control
• sexual abuse