Technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV)

Context

With access to the Internet becoming a basic human need, sexual violence facilitated using technology is an issue that requires our immediate attention.

What is Technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV)?

Technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV) refers to the range of sexual and gender-based harmful behaviors carried out through information and communication technologies.
TFSV is especially frequent among youth and particularly women. For instance
- A recent survey of 400 students from 111 Indian higher education institutions found that 60% of women experienced some form of TFSV compared to only 8% of men.
Various forms of TFSV: TFSV can take many forms, such as morphed nude images, sexualised blackmailing and bullying, digital flashing, rape threats, and explicit comments and messages.
It pervades every social media and messaging platform, but Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp are the ones especially culpable.

Concerns associated with TFSV

Abuse is linked to an individual’s name and online profile, and can remain on the Internet forever.
Affects emotional wellbeing of survivors: Many survivors experience depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
Tangible consequences to online abuse includes loss of academic or career prospects, social isolation, and violence and ostracisation by one’s own family.
Aside from gender, factors such as caste, religion, sexual orientation, class, and region heightened their vulnerability online.
Lack of effective regulation: India’s IT Act of 2000 criminalizes some forms of TFSV, but ambiguities in the law can deter survivors from reporting.
Lack of motivation from tech giants: Technology giants are unmotivated to overhaul their safety features beyond the bare minimum.
- For example, Meta’s safety moderation algorithms are trained mostly in American English, so abusive content in Indian languages is less likely to be detected.
There exists low awareness and utilization of ICCs in academic institutions.
TFSV magnifies existing social inequalities because the ability to safely access the Internet is crucial to women’s mobility, and economic development.

Way forward

Facilitate open discussions: Openly discussing TFSV without shaming or blaming survivors is essential step and is part of an ongoing movement to improve India’s levels of sexual violence, from harassment to rape.
Focusing on the needs of survivors who are the most affected is needed. Stigmatization and trivialisation of their experiences should be avoided.
Anonymous helplines: Schools should provide anonymous helplines and reporting options, mental health services from trained counselors.
Grassroot solutions: Hosting regular workshops, safety training, facilitating discussions, and designating student organizations to lead education and response efforts is needed.
Conduct gender sensitisation programmes: Although Legal regulations mandate that Institutions of higher education (IHEs) to conduct gender sensitisation programmes and empower students to engage their community, it has to be implemented with utmost care.
Constitute ICC: IHEs must constitute,train and manage Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) to investigate incidents of sexual harassment.
With the upcoming Digital India Act, the government should utilize the opportunity to strengthen its regulations for technology platforms and compel social media companies to take accountability.
Raising widespread awareness of TFSV and implementing solutions is vital while the problem is still within our control.

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