DRF, a Pakistan-based research-focused NGO, has published its annual cyber harassment report. DRF’s helpline to combat online violence, harassment, and harassment marks five years in 2022.
In the past five years, more than 11,681 cases were received by the cyber harassment helpline. In 2021, 4,441 cases were reported, with an average of 371 points per month. The reports were most stable in the other months, with a spike in March and September.
Women made 68% of calls, 30% from men, and 2% from people from other genders. Facebook followed WhatsApp as the most common platform for harassment.
According to the report, 893 complaints were filed in 2021 about blackmailing—727 of the helpline cases involved non-consensual imagery.
DRF Nighat Dad, Executive Director, said:
The pace at which the cases of cyber harassment are increasing is alarming and must serve as a wake-up call for us to take appropriate action to make the internet a safe and equal space for everyone. Unless all key players take the measures for structural change, we will continue replicating the same discriminatory behaviors against vulnerable groups that we see and experience offline.
Cyber-harassment was first launched in December 2016. It is the first regional helpline for cyber violence and harassment. You can reach the toll-free number (0800-39383) from Monday through Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm. Support via email and social media is also available.
