Bystander Prevention for Sexual Violence: #HowIWillChange and Gaps in Twitter Discourse

Twitter has rapidly gained popularity as a space for the public to discuss sexual violence (SV) prevention due to a number of high-profile SV cases. This study aimed to examine Twitter discourse on SV prevention through the hashtag #HowIWillChange, which encouraged Twitter users to come forward and report plans to engage in bystander prevention. We analyzed 1,493 #HowIWillChange tweets from October 2017 through a directed content analysis approach rooted in an evidence-based framework for the continuum of bystander intervention. We assessed emergent themes around how Twitter users discuss SV to identify gaps and misinformation in public Twitter discourse. Although Twitter users discussed a range of prevention strategies, misinformation was also spread, including perpetuation of the myth that only strangers commit rape, that only male children need lessons on consent, and that SV prevention vilifies men. These results can inform health promotion programs aiming to educate the public on bystander prevention.