A single case may only  be targeted by one agent, or face multiple challenges. Of the 182 cases logged, 111 cases involved only a single step, with the rest experiencing  between 2 – 5 steps each. An individual, group or institution would fire the opening salvo against an artwork or creator. Other agents would launch further attacks, resulting in a multi-pronged attack. 

The most common pattern to emerge sees the public function as a lookout and informer, using social media and other channels to draw negative attention to the target. These highly performative actions would alert and impel the state to actively impede the artwork or creator. A feedback loop would lead to a fresh cycle of public attacks; other players would join using different methods to oppress the target. 

There were other cases with a reverse call and answer loop – state condemnation, followed by non-state attacks. It is important to note that not every case evidenced a causal relationship between agents who initiated the first step, and subsequent attacks on the same work. Different agents in many cases performed oppression correlationally.