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Digital Safety Hub

COMBATING DIGITAL VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

Welcome to Digital Safety Hub, a dedicated space committed to shedding light on the often-overlooked issue of Digital Violence. In our increasingly interconnected world, the dark shadows of cyberbullying, online harassment, and digital abuse cast a harsh reality that affects individuals on a deeply personal level. This page serves as a beacon of awareness and support for victims navigating the tumultuous waters of digital aggression. Our mission is clear: to empower and educate. We believe that understanding the multifaceted nature of digital violence is the first step towards dismantling its pervasive impact. Through compelling insights, resources, and a supportive community, we aim to provide a lifeline for those who have experienced the distressing effects of online aggression. Digital violence knows no boundaries, affecting people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life. Whether you're here seeking information, solidarity, or guidance, know that you are not alone. This page is a safe haven where victims can find valuable resources, practical advice, and a network of individuals dedicated to fostering a safer online environment. Together, let's raise our collective voice against digital violence and work towards a digital landscape that champions empathy, respect, and understanding. Join us in the fight against the shadows, as we strive to create a brighter, more compassionate online world for everyone.

What is Digital Violence?

Digital violence refers to harmful and aggressive behaviors that occur in the digital or online space. It encompasses a wide range of activities that can cause emotional, psychological, or even physical harm to individuals. This form of violence often exploits digital technologies and online platforms to perpetrate harm.

Types of Digital Violence

Here are some common manifestations of digital violence: 1. Cyberbullying and online harassment involve the deliberate and repeated use of digital communication tools to harass, intimidate, or humiliate someone. This may include threats, stalking, the dissemination of personal information, and can occur through various online channels such as text messages, social media, email, or other digital platforms. 2. Doxxing: The act of publicly revealing and publishing private or identifying information about an individual without their consent. This information may include home addresses, phone numbers, and other personal details. 3. Sextortion: Sharing intimate or explicit images or videos of someone without their consent, often with the intent to shame, embarrass, or harm the individual. 4. Digital Stalking: Unwanted, obsessive, or repeated online attention that may involve monitoring someone's online activities, creating fake profiles, or sending threatening messages. 5. Online Hate Speech: The use of digital platforms to spread discriminatory, offensive, or violent content based on factors such as race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or other characteristics. 6. Trolling: Posting inflammatory or provocative comments online with the intention of eliciting emotional responses or disrupting online conversations.

Impact of Digital Violence on Victims

With the increase in the number of women and girls using the Internet, the percentage of digital violence against them has increased, and it’s taking various forms. Many women experience online harassment in the form of derogatory comments, threats, and intimidation on social media platforms. This can deter them from freely expressing themselves and participating in online discussions.

Others become targets to cyber bullying and are exposed to hurtful or harmful messages, often repeatedly. This can lead to emotional distress and affect mental well-being.

Digital violence has profound and wide-ranging effects on victims, encompassing emotional distress, mental health issues, social withdrawal, physical health consequences, and setbacks in education and profession. In severe cases, it leads to long-term psychological trauma, impacting trust, relationships, and the sense of online security. In addition, women are also victims of phishing, cyber stalking, and sextortion. Sextortion has profound and dangerous emotional and psychological effects on the victims, that some have taken their own lives because of the humiliation, blackmail, and reputational damage they were exposed to.

How to Protect Yourself Online

Identifying these indicators is essential for addressing potential instances of digital violence. Safety tips to protect yourself from digital violence include: 1. Strong Passwords: Use complex passwords and update them regularly. Avoid using easily guessable information, such as birthdays or names. 2. Privacy Settings: Review and adjust privacy settings on social media platforms. Limit the amount of personal information visible to the public. 3. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA wherever possible to add an extra layer of security to accounts. 4. Be Cautious with Personal Information: Avoid sharing sensitive personal information online. 5. Regularly Update Software: Keep software, including antivirus programs, up to date to protect against vulnerabilities. 6. Educate Yourself: Stay informed about common online threats and scams. Understand how to identify phishing attempts and malicious links. 7. Monitor Online Presence: Regularly check online profiles and accounts for any unusual activity. Report and block individuals engaging in harassment. 8. Selective Friending/Following: Be selective about accepting friend or connection requests. Only connect with individuals you know and trust. 9. Secure Wi-Fi Connection: Use a secure and encrypted Wi-Fi connection to prevent unauthorized access. Avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions or activities. 10. Report and Seek Help: Report instances of digital violence to platform administrators. Seek support from friends, family, or professional organizations if needed. 11. DO NOT OPEN LINKS included in messages, emails even if they are from friends. Friends’ accounts are often compromised without them being aware. Check with your friends and associates if the message and link came from them. Doing so, you may help them become aware that they have been compromised Being proactive and vigilant in implementing these safety tips can significantly reduce the risk of digital violence and enhance online security.

Digital Safety Sign-Language Dictionary-2.png

This groundbreaking dictionary, crafted by Salam@, enhances digital safety for people with hearing impairments in the MENA region. With over 100 Arabic digital safety terms and visual sign-language representations, it resulted from collaborative efforts by 20 specialists across nine countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Qatar, and Tunisia.

Developed in partnership with local organizations, the tool addresses gaps through a comprehensive survey of existing sign variations, offering a practical set of signs for digital tools, risks, and responses. The result is a pioneering and practical tool tailored for the community of people with hearing impairments in the MENA region.

See the Dictionary

Digital Violence Support

SALAMT

Help Me Online Support

DIRECTORY FOR DIGITAL VIOLENCE SUPPORT IN EGYPT

1- CYBERCRIME POLICE
Hotline: 108

Phone: 0224065051- 0224065052

2- NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR WOMEN
Phone: 0223490060 - 0223490065
Hotline: 15115 (From 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM)
WhatsApp : 01007525600

Website
Facebook

3. NEHAD ABOUL KOMSAN LAW FIRM

Phone: 010 024 48677 - 010 668 54665 - 010 614 96144

WhatApp 01061496144

(Sunday to Thursday: 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM)

Research and Publications

Research and guidance on digital violence against women (DVAW) and at-risk populations, including psychosocial impacts, across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

This collection of reports and research aim to unravel the complexities of vital violence, exploring its causes, manifestations, and potential interventions. Our goal is to provide valuable insights for shaping policies, support prevention efforts, and ultimately cultivating safer and healthier communities. (Some documents are currently in Arabic only).