Cyber harassment can lead to psychological disorders like depression, anxiety, chronic stress and suicidal thoughts if proper assistance is not provided, says a bi-annual report published by Digital Rights Foundation's (DRF) Cyber Harassment Helpline on Tuesday.
The report contains data gathered during the first six months of the helpline's operations. It includes the number of complaints as well as gender and location of the callers. The DRF also claims to point out the psychological effects of cyber harassment.
The most widely reported platform of harassment, the report says, is the social networking website Facebook. Complaints of fake profiles, non-consensual use of information, blackmailing, hacked accounts and unsolicited messages were most common.
From December 1, 2016, to May 31, 2017, the helpline received 763 complaints through calls, e-mails, and Facebook messages. Most of the callers were female (63 per cent) while the remaining 37 per cent were men.
Though 21 per cent of the callers wanted to keep their location secret, the helpline was able to gather that the highest number of complaints were registered from Punjab (44%), out of which almost 9% hailed from Islamabad alone.
Around 19% complaints were received from Sindh, 5% from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, 1.6% from Balochistan and 0.6% from Azad Kashmir.
It must be noted, though, that this data is only based on the complaints received by DRF helpline and does not reflect the actual numbers of cyber harassment cases in the country.
The DRF has made some recommendations for the government and law enforcement agencies which include establishing a rapid response cell in the National Response Centres for Cyber Crime (NR3C). The under staffing of NR3C is one reason of delayed response to harassment cases.
It also recommended gender sensitisation training for existing staff and better coordination with related departments.
Furthermore, the report recommended that there is a need for the NR3C to ensure their confidentiality as well as to address psychological issues.
The report cited Federal Investigation Agency's (FIA) inaccessibility as a reason that deters around 50 per cent of DRF's callers that live in remote areas, from registering their complaints. It suggests that FIA should expand the operation of its National Response Centre and build branches in small cities and towns so more people can seek help.
DRF is a registered research-based advocacy non-governmental organisation in Pakistan, founded by Nighat Dad in 2012. It's Cyber Harassment Helpline is Pakistan’s first dedicated helpline addressing issues of online abuse and violence providing a free, safe, gender-sensitive and confidential service. The Helpline Support Staff gives legal advice, digital security support and psychological counselling to victims of online harassment.
The toll-free number [0800-39393] is available to people looking for help between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
