Gender-based digital violence is any behaviour online — on the internet, by phone or through apps — meant to hurt you, frighten you, silence you or control you, because you are a woman, or because of your gender identity or sexual orientation.
Why “gender-based”?
Because women and LGBTQI+ people face it in specific ways: comments about their bodies, threats to share images, being outed to their family, smear campaigns. The consequences can be heavier because of social and family pressure.
Common forms
- Harassment and repeated abusive messages.
- Threats, blackmail and sextortion.
- Sharing intimate images or videos without consent.
- Cyberstalking and monitoring.
- Impersonation and fake accounts.
- Publishing personal information (doxxing) or someone’s gender identity or orientation (outing).
- Hate speech against women and LGBTQI+ people.
Digital violence is real violence. Its effects on your mental health and your life are real. And it is not your fault.