Digital Safety Hub
COMBATING DIGITAL VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
Welcome to Digital Safety Hub, a dedicated space committed to shedding light on the often-overlooked issue of Digital Violence. In our increasingly interconnected world, the dark shadows of cyberbullying, online harassment, and digital abuse cast a harsh reality that affects individuals on a deeply personal level. This page serves as a beacon of awareness and support for victims navigating the tumultuous waters of digital aggression. Our mission is clear: to empower and educate. We believe that understanding the multifaceted nature of digital violence is the first step towards dismantling its pervasive impact. Through compelling insights, resources, and a supportive community, we aim to provide a lifeline for those who have experienced the distressing effects of online aggression. ​ Digital violence knows no boundaries, affecting people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life. Whether you're here seeking information, solidarity, or guidance, know that you are not alone. This page is a safe haven where victims can find valuable resources, practical advice, and a network of individuals dedicated to fostering a safer online environment. ​ Together, let's raise our collective voice against digital violence and work towards a digital landscape that champions empathy, respect, and understanding. Join us in the fight against the shadows, as we strive to create a brighter, more compassionate online world for everyone.
What is Digital Violence?
Digital violence refers to harmful and aggressive behaviors that occur in the digital or online space. It encompasses a wide range of activities that can cause emotional, psychological, or even physical harm to individuals. This form of violence often exploits digital technologies and online platforms to perpetrate harm.
The Silent Epidemic: Understanding and Combating Digital Violence in the Modern Age
Types of Digital Violence
Here are some common manifestations of digital violence: 1. Cyberbullying and online harassment involve the deliberate and repeated use of digital communication tools to harass, intimidate, or humiliate someone. This may include threats, stalking, the dissemination of personal information, and can occur through various online channels such as text messages, social media, email, or other digital platforms. 2. Doxxing: The act of publicly revealing and publishing private or identifying information about an individual without their consent. This information may include home addresses, phone numbers, and other personal details. 3. Sextortion: Sharing intimate or explicit images or videos of someone without their consent, often with the intent to shame, embarrass, or harm the individual. 4. Digital Stalking: Unwanted, obsessive, or repeated online attention that may involve monitoring someone's online activities, creating fake profiles, or sending threatening messages. 5. Online Hate Speech: The use of digital platforms to spread discriminatory, offensive, or violent content based on factors such as race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or other characteristics. 6. Trolling: Posting inflammatory or provocative comments online with the intention of eliciting emotional responses or disrupting online conversations.
Impact of Digital Violence on Victims
With the increase in the number of women and girls using the Internet, the percentage of digital violence against them has increased, and it’s taking various forms. Many women experience online harassment in the form of derogatory comments, threats, and intimidation on social media platforms. This can deter them from freely expressing themselves and participating in online discussions.
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Others become targets to cyber bullying and are exposed to hurtful or harmful messages, often repeatedly. This can lead to emotional distress and affect mental well-being.
Digital violence has profound and wide-ranging effects on victims, encompassing emotional distress, mental health issues, social withdrawal, physical health consequences, and setbacks in education and profession. In severe cases, it leads to long-term psychological trauma, impacting trust, relationships, and the sense of online security. ​ In addition, women are also victims of phishing, cyber stalking, and sextortion. Sextortion has profound and dangerous emotional and psychological effects on the victims, that some have taken their own lives because of the humiliation, blackmail, and reputational damage they were exposed to.
How to Protect Yourself Online
Identifying these indicators is essential for addressing potential instances of digital violence. Safety tips to protect yourself  from digital violence include: 1. Strong Passwords:  Use complex passwords and update them regularly. Avoid using easily guessable information, such as birthdays or names. 2. Privacy Settings:  Review and adjust privacy settings on social media platforms. Limit the amount of personal information visible to the public. 3. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA wherever possible to add an extra layer of security to accounts. 4. Be Cautious with Personal Information: Avoid sharing sensitive personal information online. ​ 5. Regularly Update Software: Keep software, including antivirus programs, up to date to protect against vulnerabilities. 6. Educate Yourself: Stay informed about common online threats and scams.  Understand how to identify phishing attempts and malicious links. 7. Monitor Online Presence: Regularly check online profiles and accounts for any unusual activity. Report and block individuals engaging in harassment. 8. Selective Friending/Following: Be selective about accepting friend or connection requests. Only connect with individuals you know and trust. 9. Secure Wi-Fi Connection: Use a secure and encrypted Wi-Fi connection to prevent unauthorized access. Avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive transactions or activities. ​ 10. Report and Seek Help: Report instances of digital violence to platform administrators. Seek support from friends, family, or professional organizations if needed. ​ 11. DO NOT OPEN LINKS included in messages, emails even if they are from friends. Friends’ accounts are often compromised without them being aware. Check with your friends and associates if the message and link came from them. Doing so, you may help them become aware that they have been compromised Being proactive and vigilant in implementing these safety tips can significantly reduce the risk of digital violence and enhance online security.
This groundbreaking dictionary, crafted by Salam@, enhances digital safety for people with hearing impairments in the MENA region. With over 100 Arabic digital safety terms and visual sign-language representations, it resulted from collaborative efforts by 20 specialists across nine countries: Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Qatar, and Tunisia.
Developed in partnership with local organizations, the tool addresses gaps through a comprehensive survey of existing sign variations, offering a practical set of signs for digital tools, risks, and responses. The result is a pioneering and practical tool tailored for the community of people with hearing impairments in the MENA region.
Digital Violence Support
SALAMT
DIRECTORY FOR DIGITAL VIOLENCE SUPPORT IN EGYPT
1- CYBERCRIME POLICE
Hotline: 108
Phone: 0224065051- 0224065052
2- NATIONAL COUNCIL FOR WOMEN
Phone: 0223490060 - 0223490065
Hotline: 15115 (From 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM)
WhatsApp : 01007525600
Website
Facebook
3. NEHAD ABOUL KOMSAN LAW FIRM
Phone: 010 024 48677 - 010 668 54665 - 010 614 96144
WhatApp 01061496144
(Sunday to Thursday: 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM)
Research and Publications
Research and guidance on digital violence against women (DVAW) and at-risk populations, including psychosocial impacts, across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
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This collection of reports and research aim to unravel the complexities of vital violence, exploring its causes, manifestations, and potential interventions. Our goal is to provide valuable insights for shaping policies, support prevention efforts, and ultimately cultivating safer and healthier communities. (Some documents are currently in Arabic only).
1. Digital Violence Against Women in Iraq Download Report
2. Digital Violence Against Women in Saudi Arabia Download Report
3. Digital Violence against women in historical Palestine Download Report
4. Sudanese Women, Digital Revolution and Backlash Download Report
5. An Exploration of Digital Violence Against Women in Lebanon Download Report
6. A Study on Digital Violence Against Women in Egypt Download Report
7. Digital Violence Against Yemeni Women Leaders: a Field Study Download Report
8. Digital Violence Against Women in Libya from the Point of View of Women Leaders - Download Report
9. Cyber-Victimization of Women in Bahrain: Psychosocial Impacts Download Report
13. Digital Violence Against Women in Jordan: Psychosocial Impacts Download Report
17. Digital Violence Against Women in Tunisia: Legal Dimensions Download Report
10. Morocco: Guide to Digital Safety in Distance Learning Download Report
14. Digital Violence Against Women in Algeria: Psychosocial Impacts Download Report
11. Digital Violence in Kuwait: Unpacking Women’s Experiences Download Report
12. Psychosocial Support for Women Survivors of Cyberviolence Download Report
15. Digital Violence Against Women and Girls Download Report
16. Digital Violence Against Moroccan Girls and Boys: Psychosocial Impacts Download Report
18. Digital Violence Against Women in Tunisia: Psychosocial Impacts Download Report
19. Sector Study: Digital Violence Against Tunisian Women Journalists Download Report
20. Sector Study: Digital Violence Against Female Political Activists in Tunisia Download Report
Digital Safety Hub is Supported by Digital Arabia Network
In cooperation with
