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Unsafe outside, unsafe online

13 Mar 2022

  • New report by Women In Need reveals the extent of tech-based violence against women
By Sumudu Chamara Even though online violence against women is usually considered a single issue limited to the online space, it is often associated with a number of issues that go beyond the limits of online space. With increased use, availability, and complexity of technology, online violence is also on the rise, and therefore, it is important to acknowledge and take steps to address the negative impacts of online violence which are experienced both online and offline.  Last week, the report of an islandwide survey, which evaluated the general public’s knowledge and attitudes with regard to using online platforms while protecting their and others’ privacy and dignity, was released by women’s rights organisation Women In Need (WIN). Titled “Technology Facilitated Violence against Women and Girls (TFVAWG) in Sri Lanka”, the report was presented by Lead Researcher Attorney-at-Law (AAL) Thiagi Piyadasa and AAL Mark Schubert from the Social Scientists’ Association (SSA). Tech-facilitated violence against women in SL TFVAWG is defined as any act of gender-based violence against women or girls; committed, assisted, or aggravated in part or full by the use of information and communication technology (ICT), such as mobile phones and smartphones, the internet, social media platforms, or email, which affects women and girls disproportionately. During the presentation, it was noted that as per Sri Lanka Computer Readiness Team (SL CERT) statistics, the number of social media-related incidents (umbrella term used to refer to all sorts of online violations) had increased from 2,662 in 2019 to a staggering 14,284 in 2020. It was further noted that the year 2020’s social isolation (caused by the Covid-19 pandemic) pushed many people to engage with partners online, over virtual communication platforms, and potentially share intimate images or videos on webcams, apps, or social media, which resulted in a hike in social media-related violations. This trend, having pushed young children as young as six years of age to navigate the internet without awareness of how to do so safely and without effective guidance and supervision, often contributing to the rising number of cyber harassments and online violence, was also highlighted. Piyadasa noted that unlike offline violence, online violence is a continuum, and that once someone uploads an image or shares something on the internet, it is permanently there, resulting in continuation of violation/perpetration. Parts of this continuum, she explained, includes physical violence, emotional violence, technology-facilitated harassment, intimidation and blackmail, cyber stalking, and invasion of privacy. Objectives of the survey were, assessing the level of public knowledge and awareness regarding TFVAWG, understanding the impact of TFVAWG on victim survivors, and identifying the role of government and private institutions in preventing and addressing the identified issues. Samples for the survey had been obtained from all 25 districts, representing urban and rural areas and various ethnicities. The survey was based on interviews, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions. Based on data (responses), it was explained that both men and women can hold gender inequitable attitudes.  Of the respondents, 68.7% males and 87.1% females had stated that sexual relationships should only be within marriage. In addition, 6% males and 2.5% females had stated that teasing becomes harmful to women only when there is physical contact, while 6.9% males and 3.3% males had stated that it is acceptable that women are teased even if it was of a sexual nature, because it is harmless.  Alarmingly, 12.8% males and 25.8% females had stated that it is a woman’s responsibility to avoid getting pregnant, while 20.7% males and 19.2% females had stated that there are times when a wife deserves to get beaten. With regard to online behaviour, survey findings showed that both men and women had engaged in certain online/technology-related behaviours, some of which could be identified as risky behaviour. Of the respondents, 55.6% of males and 17% females had accepted friend requests from unknown persons, while 51.7% males and 8.9% females had sent friend requests to unknown persons.  In addition, 41.3% males and 52.9% females had shared their passwords with a partner, and 31.8% males and 44.3% females are sharing a Facebook account with their partner. Moreover, 29.2% males and 19.7% females had responded that they had shared personal information with someone they met online. A large number of respondents had also allowed their friends to make calls and use their phone for other activities. “More men are more comfortable or less cautious when it comes to interactions with strangers, whereas women are far more careful or far less likely to initiate or respond to interactions with strangers,” Schubert pointed out, while presenting survey findings, adding that when it comes to sharing passwords and Facebook accounts with partners, however, women appear to be more trusting. Assessment of the abovementioned online behaviours among the respondents of different age groups showed that those above the age of 46 were generally less likely to engage in the said activities. However, those in the 18-25 and 26-35 age groups had shown those behaviours in almost all categories.  The survey had also focused on perceptions of the prevalence of TFVAWG, based on incidents respondents had experienced or were aware of in real life. In all categories (mentioned below), women had reported being aware of more incidents.  Survey findings showed that 21.1% females and 18% males were aware of incidents of intimate pictures or videos of someone being shared, while 32.5% females and 16.5% males were of incidents of online harassment of a sexual nature (unwanted images being circulated, texting, calling, etc.) The percentage of respondents who were aware of edited/doctored/photoshopped images  of a person being shared on the internet was 21.4% females and 22.4% males. In addition, 14.7% females and 8.4% males were aware of incidents where a person was threatened or blackmailed with intimate pictures or videos. Incidents of people being forced to send intimate pictures or videos of themselves to another person via the internet had also been reported, and 13% females and 8.3% males had reported such incidents. Furthermore, 24% females and 18% males had reported intimate pictures or videos of a person being shared on the internet or on social network websites or apps. Speaking of gendered dynamics, Piyadasa noted that gender-power relations play a role in actual choices and actions, and that women in intimate partner relationships are at a higher risk of experiencing TFVAWG. Male entitlement, shame, (women) blaming themselves and not reporting TFVAWG, authorities ignoring harm caused to women, and morality in determining victimhood are some of the elements of gendered dynamics. The discussion also focused on a number of impacts of TFVAWG on survivors, such as psychological and emotional harm, damage to reputation and self-esteem, economic loss, self-censorship, restrictions to mobility, damage to family relationships, and reinforcement or prejudices, stereotypes, and discrimination against women.  Moreover, it was stated that most women find it pointless to talk about TFVAWG they had faced, and that the circumstances under which they faced these incidents also play a certain role in such incidents being reported. Piyadasa noted that some women do not even know where to obtain support from, in the event of TFVAWG. Recommendations  Piyadasa presented a number of recommendations to address TFVAWG in Sri Lanka. With regard to necessary law reforms, it was recommended to adopt TFVAWG as a framework to lobby for legal recognition of the right to privacy and amendments to the Penal Code; to take into account the embodied harm of technology-facilitated violence that extends beyond the limited definition of Penal Code offences; and to amend the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act No. 34 of 2005 to include intimate partner violence by non-cohabiting intimate partners. In order to strengthen gender sensitivity and ensure adequate resourcing of law enforcement, it was recommended that the Police Women and Children’s Desks, Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and Minor or Miscellaneous Offences Branch officers be trained in the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on Cyber Violence.  Makinging specialised training sessions and resourcing for law enforcement a priority in order to enable the Police to effectively respond to technology-facilitated violence was another recommendation. With regard to exploring the full potential of the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act (PDVA), it was recommended to use the provisions of the PDVA in instances of intimate partners perpetrating technology-facilitated violence. It was also recommended that awareness be created about the provisions of protection orders, even in instances of online violence where spouses/cohabiting partners or ex-spouses/cohabiting partners are concerned. The survey report also presented several recommendations aimed at raising awareness among children, youth, and adults.  One of the recommendations was promoting ICT literacy as a prevention strategy.  “Awareness on tech literacy and privacy should also include basic legal awareness on sexual harassment, criminal intimidation, extortion, criminal breach of trust, and what steps individuals can take to preserve necessary evidence in each instance,” the survey report said in its recommendations, adding that this lack of awareness on rights violations is directly linked to the normalisation of violence against women, especially within intimate relationships, as well as the desensitisation of law enforcement officials. Advocating for sex and relationship education for all schoolchildren was another recommendation, regarding which it was further stated that advocacy must target the Ministry of Education and/or include a national online campaign targeting schoolchildren. Presenting these recommendations, Piyadasa further noted that awareness should target role models such as teachers and tuition class lecturers who spend a considerable time with children and have been reported to have some influence on children’s behaviour. Another recommendation she explained was raising awareness on intimate partner violence, even within schools, and for parents to ensure zero tolerance of violence within intimate relationships, and the ability for women and communalities to take action before further violence is perpetrated. She added that awareness should challenge the protectionist mindset and instead promote and recognise the autonomy of women and realities of adolescent and youth lived experiences. Holding service providers accountable was also one of the objectives regarding which recommendations had been presented. The survey report recommended advocacy to ensure that intermediaries and/or service providers are accountable for acts perpetrated by their users, adding: “Service providers should be required to take necessary steps to prevent violence against women through their services. This has been advocated by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Resolution HRC/32/L.20 on the promotion, protection, and enjoyment of human rights as well as the UN Guiding Principles on business and human rights. Meanwhile, President’s Council (PC) M.U.M. Ali Sabry noted the importance of ensuring that these recommendations are put into action, and explained the ongoing legal reforms that would be beneficial to women when inheriting lands.  While living without technology has become almost impossible, the solution to online violence is using online platforms more cautiously while also respecting others’ rights. The basis of such responsible online behaviour is good attitudes, and as recommended by the survey report, educating and raising awareness from a younger age could be the best way to change attitudes.


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