“Towards Understanding Privacy and Trust in Online Reporting of Sexual Assault”
Presented at SOUPS at USENIX Security Symposium 2020
This study explored how survivors perceive online reporting systems for sexual assault. It revealed critical insights into barriers to trust, the importance of transparency, and how privacy protections influence whether survivors feel safe enough to disclose.
These findings shaped our survivor centered approach to technology design, ensuring privacy is not just a feature but a foundation.
Presented at IEEE Symposium on Security and Privacy 2022.
This paper examined how technology can both enable and mitigate sexual abuse. It mapped patterns of harm alongside opportunities for protective design, offering a framework for ethical innovation
This research underscores our mission to harness technology responsibly, addressing risks while maximizing its potential for protection and empowerment.
(Read more about SoK: The Dual Nature of Technology in Sexual Abuse)
VESTA’s research spans the intersection of technology, ethics, and human experience. Each area of inquiry advances our mission to make GBV response systems safer, smarter, and more equitable. These thematic pillars reflect how evidence and innovation come together to drive survivor-centered change.
We collaborate with leading academic partners to advance evidence based responses to GBV.
Lucrezia Spagnolo regularly shares insights at global forums bridging technology, ethics, and GBV response.
• Still I Rise National Conference | May 14-15, 2025 | From Silence to Action: How Technology is Empowering GBV Survivors
• Healthy Cities, Healthy People | November 12, 2024 | Exploring Digital Health and Femtech
• Innovations in Addressing Gender-Based Violence and Trauma and Violence-Informed Health Promotion: A National Conference | October 1-2, 2025 | Resilience in Action: Digital Innovation and Intersectional Approaches to Addressing GBV.
Our research is not abstract. It drives real change.
Join us in building survivor centered, evidence based systems that make a difference.