The project examines the online experiences of people with long-term conditions and disabilities in Northern Ireland in relation to cyber-victimisation.
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| Principal researcher(s) |
Dr Zhraa Alhaboby
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Research context
The cyber-victimisation of disabled people is a disturbing phenomenon with serious consequences on physical health, mental wellbeing, and social relationships. In Northern Ireland (NI), one in every five people is disabled, and disability hate crimes are at their highest recorded level. However, the victims’ perspective is underrepresented due to under-reporting and lack of trust in formal support.
This study examines the frequency and characteristics of cyber-victimisation experiences, assesses the impact on wellbeing, and investigates the influence of the Covid-19 pandemic, as a case of public health emergency, on disability cyber-hate experiences.
Research methodology
A mixed-method design was adopted using internet-mediated data collection methods – an online survey followed by in-depth interviews with victims.