he internet is a powerful tool that has allowed populations across the globe access to vast libraries of knowledge. It has also connected communities and enabled individuals to communicate with people anywhere in the world at any time. Although the internet has many advantages, it has also given rise to a new form of gender-based violence.

Gender-based violence is a harmful act directed towards a person based on gender. Globally, 85 percent of women have witnessed digital violence, and nearly 40 percent have experienced it personally. One in two Pakistani women who have experienced violence never sought help or told anyone about the violence they had experienced. For many, statistics do not paint a complete picture of pain; stories do.

GBV takes many insidious forms, from the real world to online platforms. Psychological violence generally means harmful behaviour, including verbal abuse, intimidation, manipulation, degradation and humiliation. Digital violence includes online sexual harassment, cyberbullying and non-consensual use of images and video. Many women across Pakistan have fallen victim to these acts of violence due to manipulation, exploitation, lack of digital illiteracy, trolling or refusing to share personal images or videos. Psychological and digital violence can go hand in hand, as online users may abuse power in online spaces to make women feel unsafe in digital spheres.

Online gender-based violence affects survivors’ physical and mental health. A constant barrage of negative comments and trolling may cause anxiety and depression; threats of gender-based violence and leaked photos or videos can lead to suicidal thoughts or behaviours; and other psychologically violent acts against women in online spaces can put women in highly stressful and traumatic situations, leading to post-traumatic stress disorder.

Survivors may lose their sense of individuality, dignity, self-worth or autonomy when faced with psychological and digital violence. Over time, they may also lose the ability to express themselves openly in fear of online persecution, adversely impacting the professional and economic livelihoods of women and girls who depend on online and social media spaces.

Nine out of ten women report that online violence harms their sense of well-being, and over a third have experienced mental health issues due to online violence

For instance, an online content creator may establish a loyal following by being her authentic self, but once a certain level of digital fame is reached, online harassment and persecution could become a norm. The content creator could decide to change the type of content she publishes on her platform to appease the general audience and reduce the number of negative comments, trolling, objectification or threats of gender-based violence – forcing her to conform to negative feedback and lose her authentic self-expression. However, this would adversely affect her online presence and disappoint followers who initially followed her for her old content, leading to increased amounts of digital harassment and cyberbullying for not meeting certain expectations.

Hate and devaluation of women online cause long-term psychological, emotional, and physical distress. Nine out of ten women (92 percent) report that online violence harms their sense of well-being and over a third (35 percent) have experienced mental health issues due to online violence. Digital violence has tangible real-world consequences for women’s physical and psychological health and the livelihoods and economic prosperity of women and girls in Pakistan.

Digital violence is used to coerce, stalk or harass another person. It is intended to make someone feel alone and powerless and snatch away their self-autonomy.

Virtual violence is violence. Online abuse is both violence and abuse.

Women and girls have a right to feel safe in all public spaces, and it is high time to reclaim the digital world and online spaces as women-friendly platforms. If you or anyone you know has experienced gender-based violence online, know that you are not alone. Talk with trusted friends and family. Do not allow fear or embarrassment to prevent you from reaching out for help. Women must know their rights and how to report violence; no victim should suffer in silence.

Women and girls who fear the risk of online abuse or violence should seek help online and join solidarity communities to support fellow survivors and activists to raise awareness about gender-based violence on online platforms.

In our society, there is a tendency of victim-blaming; therefore, we must learn to tweak our practices favouring the victim when an act of online violence or abuse is reported. We must know to believe when a survivor tells us about their experience. It means that the sufferer has taken a courageous step;discouraging them will create additional stress and deeply cut their self-esteem. Women and girls must always report abusive or derogatory posts or photos on social media. They must learn to speak up against inappropriate comments and respect privacy by not sharing personal pictures or videos at any cost.

Like most challenges in Pakistani society, the challenge of GBV is also changing its shape and form. As violence against women is an unfortunate reality in our society, so is online GBV.

The writer is executive director of the  Centre for Social Education and Development, Islamabad.