1- What is cybersexism?
Cybersexism refers to the use of digital technologies to target, harass, and abuse individuals based on their sex or gender identity. This includes behaviors such as sexist insults, threats of sexual violence, sharing intimate images without consent, and disseminating humiliating content online.
It can manifest in various forms, including:
- Being targeted by insults about one’s body or rumors about one’s love life on social media (Instagram, Snapchat, Facebook, TikTok…)
- Receiving sexual messages (sexts) that make one uncomfortable
- The creation of a fake account to humiliate someone
- The uploading and dissemination of intimate photos or videos without consent, or the threat to do so…
Girls are more frequently victims of these cyber-violences. Two phenomena are often observed:
- Slut-shaming, which involves blaming and devaluing a girl whose appearance, clothing, makeup, attitude, or romantic and sexual behaviors — real or assumed — do not conform to prevailing gendered norms within her social groups.
- Revenge porn, which involves distributing intimate photos, videos, or images of a person — often after a breakup or conflict — without their consent. The goal is to harm the victim’s reputation, humiliate them, or cause emotional distress.
2- Why are girls particularly affected?
Online as well as offline, the rules of representation are often stricter and more codified for girls than for boys. Here, we find the roles based on sexist stereotypes assigned to girls and boys from childhood. If girls do not conform to these codes, they may become targets of violence.
Cybersexism is also linked to the notion of reputation, which specifically targets girls. They are often judged based on their sexual behavior (real or perceived) or their physical appearance (such as how they dress). If they deviate from these norms, they are labeled with a negative, sexualized reputation. In short, cyber-violence is used to control young women’s sexuality.
Cybersexism amplified by other forms of discrimination
Cybersexism does not affect everyone equally. It can intersect with other forms of discrimination such as racism, homophobia, or transphobia, intensifying the violence of online attacks.
While girls are especially targeted, boys who do not conform to stereotypes of masculinity can also experience cyber-violence, often in the form of homophobic insults. In general, anyone who deviates from dominant norms — whether in terms of gender or sexual orientation — can become a target.
3- What to do if you are a victim or witness of cybersexism or revenge porn?
If you are a victim of cybersexism or revenge porn, here are some steps to protect yourself and get help:
- Know that it is not your fault — you should not feel guilty, and nothing you did justifies cyber-violence. Do not hesitate to talk to someone you trust.
- Do not delete evidence: Take screenshots, save abusive messages or content, and keep records of the profiles or accounts responsible for the attack.
- Report the incident on the platform: Most social networks and sharing sites have reporting systems for abuse and non-consensual content.
- Contact local authorities: Cybersexism and revenge porn are often considered criminal offenses in many countries. It is important to report any violation of your rights to the police or a victim support organization.
- Seek psychological and legal support: Consider consulting a lawyer specializing in online violence and digital rights to understand your legal options. Psychological support can also help you manage the emotional impact of cyberbullying.
4- Sanctions Against Cybersexism and Revenge Porn
Under European legislation, laws have been enacted to combat these phenomena. The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) ensures that victims of digital abuse can request the removal of non-consensual content. Several European countries, such as Germany, France, and Spain, have already adopted specific legislation to combat revenge porn, imposing prison sentences and substantial fines on those who share such images.
The European Union has proposed stricter regulations regarding online abuse under the Digital Services Act (DSA), which includes provisions against cybersexism and the dissemination of abusive content. This regulation requires online platforms to quickly remove reported content and strengthen user protection mechanisms.
In the Balkans, although legislative initiatives are beginning to emerge, much remains to be done. In Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro, laws on digital rights protection are under development, but they do not yet specifically address online sexist violence. The introduction of stricter legislation and more effective reporting protocols would be an essential step to protect victims in this region.
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