Crimes against women in cyberspace

With the advent of digital age, the lives of people have unquestionably changed.  What was an imagination a decade ago now can be done easily by using the internet.

Digitalization empowered everyone particularly women, by providing them with platforms to express themselves, access educational resources, and participate in social and economic activities.

However, this progress comes with a dark side which is the surge in cyber crimes targeting women. The NCRB report for 2022 reveals that J&K registered 54 cases of cybercrimes against women.

This figure, though seemingly small compared to other types of crimes, represents a sharp increase compared to previous years. As per the experts, the actual number of cases could be much higher as many victims, due to social stigma and fear of further harassment, hesitate to report these crimes.

The various types of cyber crimes against women in J&K include online stalking, harassment, morphing, cyberbullying, online extortion, phishing scams online threats, etc.  These cyberc-rimes can have a devastating impact on victims, causing psychological trauma, emotional distress, and even financial losses.

Fear and shame can lead to social isolation and withdrawal, impacting their overall well-being and sense of security in the online space. The various factors that contribute to the rise of cyber crimes against women are increased internet dependency, excessive use of mobile phones especially among young women, lack of awareness/education addressing cyber crimes against women about online safety, insufficient legal mechanisms, etc.

Addressing this issue has become the need of the hour and certain things need to be done with a sense of urgency. Women should be educated about online safety, and awareness programs should be conducted so that this vulnerable section of our society becomes aware of those crimes and reports these crimes without any reluctance.

Robust cybercrime laws, coupled with efficient investigation and prosecution, are needed to deter perpetrators and ensure justice for victims. The interconnected nature of the cyber world implies that no one is untouched by this menace. However, hope is not lost. This challenge demands a collective and coordinated response.

BY Nazia Nabi

Nazia Nabi, Doctoral Scholar Department of Law, University of Jammu