CHASE is an EU-funded initiative designed to address the rising issue of cyber violence and online hate speech against women and individuals from marginalized gender identities. Recognized as a form of gender-based violence (GBV), online gender-related hate speech manifests through various means, including victim-blaming, body-shaming, threats of violence, and discriminatory remarks about gender, sexuality, and identity. While the rapid expansion of digital platforms has enabled greater communication, it has also facilitated the spread of online hate speech. The anonymity and reach of digital spaces have intensified these harmful expressions, making it crucial to develop effective countermeasures.
Despite growing anecdotal evidence, there remains a lack of comprehensive data on the scale and impact of online gender-based hate speech. Available research primarily focuses on social media, leaving significant gaps in understanding hate speech across other digital spaces such as news platforms, blogs, forums, and online gaming chatrooms. CHASE aims to fill this gap by enhancing the ability of online media to detect and combat such content while fostering a more inclusive and respectful digital environment. The project directly supports the EU’s goal of preventing, reporting, and countering online hate speech, contributing to gender equality and fundamental rights.
CHASE focuses on empowering two primary target groups: professionals working in online media and civil society organizations (CSOs) engaged in human rights advocacy. Media professionals play a key role in moderating content and shaping public discourse, yet they often lack the necessary skills and tools to identify and respond effectively to gender-based hate speech, particularly when it is subtle or implied. By providing them with specialized training and technological support, the project enhances their capacity to recognize and mitigate harmful content. CSOs, meanwhile, serve as watchdogs, advocating for victims and promoting policies to counteract online hate speech. However, many organizations are unfamiliar with the nuances of online gender-based hate speech and require targeted capacity-building to address emerging threats. Additionally, CHASE engages the general public, particularly digital media users, to raise awareness of online hate speech and its role in perpetuating discrimination and violence.
The project has several key objectives aimed at transforming how online media handle gender-based hate speech. It seeks to identify different patterns of online hate speech and develop methodologies for detecting both explicit and hidden forms. CHASE will equip at least 200 media professionals with the skills to recognize and counter online gender-based hate speech while developing an innovative ICT tool that facilitates real-time identification and response. A comprehensive mechanism will be introduced, integrating technological solutions with structured moderation procedures to ensure online media platforms have the tools to act effectively. Furthermore, CHASE contributes to research and data collection, improving access to reliable statistics on the prevalence and impact of gender-based hate speech. Raising awareness among media users is another core objective, fostering critical thinking and promoting respect for gender diversity in online spaces.
The expected impact of CHASE extends across multiple levels. In the short term, the project will enhance the capabilities of online media professionals and CSOs, ensuring at least 24 media outlets implement new strategies for identifying and countering gender-based hate speech. Increased awareness among the general public will contribute to a broader cultural shift, encouraging users to recognize and report hate speech rather than engage in its spread. In the medium term, CHASE aims to reduce instances of gender-based hate speech on online media platforms by fostering self-regulation processes. CSOs and human rights professionals will expand their monitoring efforts, strengthening their ability to intervene and advocate for policy changes. In the long term, CHASE aspires to contribute to a Europe where online gender-based hate speech is systematically addressed, leading to a measurable decline in incidents and the adoption of more comprehensive policies at both national and EU levels.
ITML’s role in the project
In the CHASE project, ITML focuses on the development of an advanced ICT tool designed to detect online gender-based hate speech in real-time. This tool leverages real-time text analytics algorithms grounded in machine learning principles and is complemented by an intuitive user interface. ITML’s role extends beyond technological development to fostering a digital ecosystem, where hate speech is effectively identified and countered, promoting a more inclusive online environment. This tool will be integrated with interactive components that allow users to report and counter hate speech more effectively.
Acknowledgment
The project CHASE has received funding from the European Union’s Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) Programme under the Grant Agreement No. 101143159.
