Online Safety

Cyber harassment is the use of digital technologies to intimidate, threaten, or harm someone. For women experiencing gender-based violence, online harassment can be an extension of abuse that follows them into digital spaces.

Common forms of online harassment include:

• Threatening messages - Direct threats of violence or harm via social media, email, or messaging apps
• Online stalking - Persistent monitoring of your online activities and movements
• Impersonation - Someone creating fake accounts pretending to be you
• Doxing - Publishing your private information (address, phone number, workplace) without consent

Deepfakes are fake videos or images created using technology to make it look like someone said or did something they never actually did. This technology uses artificial intelligence to manipulate videos and photos in very realistic ways.

For women and GBV survivors, deepfakes pose serious risks. They can be used for:

• Blackmail and extortion
• Revenge and character assassination
• Sexual exploitation and harassment
• Undermining credibility and reputation

False information and rumors spread online can be used as weapons to harm women, destroy reputations, and silence voices. This is particularly harmful in communities where social standing and honor are closely tied to a woman's safety and wellbeing.

When you encounter false information about you or someone you know online, here's how to respond:

Online identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information to impersonate you, access your accounts, or commit fraud in your name. This can be especially dangerous for women experiencing violence, as abusers may use identity theft to monitor, control, or harm.

WhatsApp is widely used across the Sahel region for communication. For GBV survivors and women at risk, securing your WhatsApp account is crucial to prevent unauthorized access, harassment, and the sharing of private conversations.