Cyber Abuse

Several terms are used to define cyber abuse (which may or may not be sexual in nature) including cyber-harassment, cyber stalking, cyber-bullying and digital abuse.The common factor is the use of technology to establish power and control by causing fear and/or intimidation.

What are the examples of cyberviolence?

Many forms of cyberviolence represent or are related to a violation of victims’ privacy. This may include computer intrusions to obtain, steal, reveal or manipulate intimate data, the researching and broadcasting of personal data (“doxing”), or acts such as “cyberstalking” or “sextortion/revenge porn”.

Examples of technology-facilitated or cyber abuse:

• Sending abusive texts, emails or messages via social media
• Making continuous controlling or threatening phone calls
• Making someone prove where they are by sending photos of their location
• Checking someones text messages, social media activity or internet activity
• Forbidding someone from having a phone or limiting who they can contact via phone or internet
• Spying on, monitoring or stalking someone through any type of surveillance device (such as a tracking system or spyware)
• Sharing intimate photos of someone without their consent (sometimes called revenge porn)