Researchers from the Laboratory on Sexism, Myths, and Gender Violence within the research group Psychology of Social Problems (HUM-289) have conducted a study to better understand women’s behavioral reactions to an increasingly frequent digital reality: the unsolicited reception of genital images, commonly known as “dick pics”. Although these behaviors are often normalized or trivialized, the findings of this research show that they constitute a form of cyber-sexual violence that significantly affects women.
A total of 392 Spanish women aged 18 to 45 participated in the study, and the results were striking:
➡️ 74% had received at least one unsolicited genital image.
➡️ These images were mainly sent by strangers (45.7%), although 21.9% came from known men—such as friends, coworkers, or neighbors—which increases discomfort and feelings of vulnerability.
Participants reported a wide range of reactions, though most were negative and distressing, including blocking the sender, telling friends, expressing rejection, or simply ignoring the message. However, not all women reacted in the same way, and this is where one of the study’s most relevant findings emerges: sexist beliefs, social norms, and sense of personal power influence how these situations are interpreted and responded to.
How Did the Women Respond?
Women with higher levels of hostile sexism—attitudes that justify or normalize gender inequality and discriminatory behaviors—tended to downplay or normalize the act of sending unsolicited sexual images, sometimes even continuing the conversation with the man. In contrast, those who endorsed benevolent sexism, a subtler form of sexism based on the idea that women need protection, were more likely to adopt self-protective strategies, such as avoiding going out alone or reducing their activity on social media. It is worth noting, however, that the percentage of women strongly endorsing these beliefs was relatively low.
Women with a greater sense of personal power were more likely to react assertively, express disapproval, and share the experience with others. Conversely, those who perceived themselves as having less power tended to withdraw and limit their online presence, reflecting how such forms of harassment can undermine women’s autonomy and digital participation.
Social norms also played a crucial role. Women who perceived that their peers viewed this type of behavior as “normal” were more likely to react neutrally or even positively, illustrating how the social normalization of digital harassment can reduce the perception of violence and hinder reporting.
The study highlights the importance of education in gender equality and responsible technology use, as well as the need to challenge sexist beliefs and make visible that the unsolicited reception of genital images is not a joke or a form of flirting, but rather an expression of gender inequality and cyber-sexual violence in digital environments.
These results invite reflection on how gender stereotypes and social norms influence women’s experiences online and underscore the need for educational, preventive, and awareness-raising initiatives that promote respectful and egalitarian digital relationships.
The study was conducted in collaboration between researchers from the Mind, Brain, and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC) at the University of Granada (UGR) and the University of Seville (US).
Reference
Rodríguez-Domínguez, C., Vizcaíno-Cuenca, R., & Durán, M. (2025). “If I Didn’t Ask for It, Don’t Show It”: Women’s Reactions to Unwanted Sexual Images Sent by Men and the Influence of Sexism, Social Norms, and Sense of Power. Violence Against Women, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/10778012251334763
Contact:
Rocío Vizcaíno-Cuenca (@email)