The Digital Chains: Confronting Online and Digital Violence

In an increasingly connected world, our lives are intertwined with digital platforms. From social media to messaging apps, the internet offers unprecedented opportunities for connection, learning, and expression. However, this vast digital landscape has also become a new frontier for violence, where perpetrators exploit technology to control, intimidate, and harm others. Digital violence leaves victims feeling exposed, vulnerable, and often without a clear path to safety, with devastating real-world consequences.

Understanding Digital Violence: Beyond the Screen

Digital violence, also known as cyber violence or online gender-based violence, encompasses a wide range of abusive behaviors perpetrated through digital means. These acts are not merely “online drama”; they have serious, often life-altering impacts on survivors’ mental health, reputation, safety, and economic stability. Common forms include:

Cyberstalking: Persistent and unwanted online contact, surveillance, or monitoring that causes fear or distress. This can involve tracking location through apps, constantly messaging, or creating fake profiles to monitor a victim’s online activity.
Online Harassment/Cyberbullying: Repeated, hostile, and offensive messages, comments, or posts directed at an individual. This can include derogatory language, threats, body shaming, or inciting others to join in the harassment.
Revenge Porn and Non-Consensual Sharing of Intimate Images (NCII): The distribution of sexually explicit photos or videos of an individual without their consent. This is a severe violation of privacy and can cause immense psychological distress, reputational damage, and even put the victim’s physical safety at risk. In many jurisdictions, including Suriname, laws are evolving to specifically criminalize this heinous act.
Doxing: The act of revealing private or identifying information about an individual online without their consent. This can include home addresses, phone numbers, workplaces, or even family details, making victims vulnerable to real-world harassment or violence.
Impersonation/Catfishing: Creating fake online profiles to impersonate someone, often to damage their reputation, manipulate others, or collect information for malicious purposes.
Hacking/Privacy Violations: Gaining unauthorized access to someone’s accounts (email, social media, banking) to steal information, spread false rumors, or control their digital life.
Digital Coercion/Control: Using technology to isolate or control a partner, such as demanding access to their phone, monitoring their messages, restricting internet use, or threatening to expose private information if demands are not met. This is often an extension of offline domestic violence.

The Real-World Consequences

The “digital” aspect of this violence does not diminish its real-world impact. Victims of digital violence often experience:

Profound Psychological Distress: Intense anxiety, depression, fear, panic attacks, PTSD, and even suicidal thoughts. The feeling of being constantly monitored or exposed can be overwhelming.
Reputational Damage: False rumors, embarrassing content, or intimate images shared online can severely damage a person’s personal and professional reputation, affecting job prospects and social standing.
Social Isolation: Victims may withdraw from online and offline social interactions due to fear, shame, or the desire to avoid further abuse.
Economic Impact: Loss of employment due to online harassment, inability to secure new jobs, or financial exploitation as a result of compromised accounts.
Physical Safety Concerns: Doxing and online threats can escalate into real-world stalking, harassment, or even physical violence, putting the victim’s life in danger.

Navigating the Legal Landscape in Suriname

Suriname, like many countries, is working to strengthen its legal framework to address digital violence. While the Criminal Code of 2015 includes provisions aligned with the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, specific laws directly addressing all forms of gender-based digital violence are still evolving. For example, laws related to the non-consensual sharing of intimate images are crucial.

It’s important to know: The legal system is continually adapting. If you are a victim, reporting the incident is a critical step, as it helps authorities understand the scope of the problem and push for stronger protections. Organizations in Suriname working on gender-based violence (like the Women’s Rights Centre or the Foundation Stop Violence against Women) can often provide guidance on legal avenues and support services.

Practical Advice for Digital Safety and Seeking Help

Protecting yourself and others from digital violence requires a combination of digital literacy, proactive measures, and knowing how to seek help:

Strengthen Your Privacy Settings:
- Review and adjust privacy settings on all social media platforms and apps to restrict who can see your content and personal information.
- Be cautious about sharing your location.
- Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible.
Think Before You Share:
- Consider the implications before posting personal information, photos, or even your daily routines. Once something is online, it’s very difficult to remove completely.
- Be extremely careful about sharing intimate images, even with trusted partners. There is no guarantee they won’t be misused.
Recognize and Respond to Red Flags:
- If someone is overly persistent, demanding, or possessive online, this is a red flag.
- Block and report individuals who engage in harassing or abusive behavior immediately.
- Do NOT engage with or respond to harassers; this often fuels their behavior.
Document Everything:
- Take screenshots of all abusive messages, posts, or threats, including dates and times.
- Save conversations, emails, or any other digital evidence. This documentation is crucial if you decide to report the abuse to authorities or platforms.
Report Abuse to Platforms:
- Most social media platforms have mechanisms for reporting harassment, hate speech, non-consensual intimate images, and other forms of abuse. Use these features.
- Report accounts that are impersonating you or others.
Seek Support:
- Do not suffer in silence. Reach out to a trusted friend, family member, counselor, or a local support organization specializing in gender-based violence. They can offer emotional support, safety planning, and guidance on legal steps.
- In Suriname, organizations like the Women’s Rights Centre (WRC) and the Foundation Stop Violence against Women (Stichting Stop Geweld Tegen Vrouwen) are dedicated to supporting survivors of various forms of violence, including those with a digital component. The 123 help line (now 24 hours available for adults who are victims of domestic violence or gender-based violence) is also a vital resource.

Digital spaces should be safe and empowering for everyone. By increasing our digital literacy, understanding the dynamics of online abuse, and actively participating in creating a respectful online environment, we can help dismantle the digital chains of violence and foster a safer digital future for all.

Do you have any further questions about digital violence or specific resources you’d like to know more about?