Approximately one in two Caribbean women has experienced some form of violence, which points to the possibility of high rates of digital online abuse and digital violence. In recognition of International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, we highlight the many forms of digital violence that can occur and the current state of the protections available in the Caribbean region.

 

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which is commemorated on 25 November, serves as a crucial reminder of the violence women face globally. Although physical violence tends to take centre stage, an insidious and increasingly prevalent threat lurks in the digital realm: digital violence and abuse. This online aggression, often subtle and pervasive, inflicts significant harm, undermines women’s safety, and can curtail their freedom of expression and participation in digital spaces.

 

What constitutes digital violence?

Digital violence against women encompasses a wide range of harmful behaviours perpetrated using digital technologies. It is a broad term that includes any act of violence committed, assisted, or aggravated by the use of ICTs against a girl or woman because she is female and can manifest in a broad range of ways, including:

  • Cyberstalking, which includes persistent and unwanted online contact, monitoring, or surveillance that causes fear or distress.
  • Hate Speech and Online Harassment, which includes targeted insults, threats, misogynistic slurs, or derogatory comments intended to intimidate, humiliate, or silence women.
  • “Revenge porn” or Non-Consensual Sharing of Intimate Images (NCII), which includes distributing private sexual images or videos of someone without their consent, often with malicious intent.
  • Doxing, which includes publishing private identifying information about an individual online without their consent, with the intent to harm or expose them to further harassment.
  • Impersonation, which includes creating fake profiles or accounts to impersonate a woman, often to spread misinformation, defame her, or deceive others.
  • Sextortion, which includes blackmailing an individual into sending sexual images or performing sexual acts by threatening to share existing intimate content.
  • Trolling and mobbing,which includes coordinated attacks by groups of individuals to verbally abuse, discredit, or overwhelm a woman online.
  • Technological abuse in relationships, which includes using digital tools to control, monitor, or isolate a partner, such as tracking their location, accessing their accounts, or remotely controlling smart devices.

It is important to highlight that although the majority of studies confirm that men are the primary perpetrators of digital violence against women, women can and do commit online harm against other women. Men tend to be the perpetrators of the most harmful and pervasive forms of abuse, which include non-consensual image sharing, tracking, coercive control, and online harassment and threats. On the other hand, the abuse perpetuated by women tends to include online harassment, trolling, bullying and cyberstalking.

 

Digital abuse versus digital violence: Is there a difference?

While ‘digital violence’ and ‘digital abuse’ are often used interchangeably, digital abuse can be seen as a broader category that encompasses patterns of controlling, manipulative, or harmful online behaviours that may not always involve direct threats of physical harm but still cause significant psychological, emotional, and social damage. On the other hand, digital violence often implies a more severe and direct intent to cause harm, fear, or distress, potentially escalating to real-world threats or consequences. However, the distinction tends to be nuanced, as sustained digital abuse can easily constitute a form of psychological violence. Nevertheless, both terms highlight the detrimental impact of online aggression on women’s well-being.

 

Legal protection against digital violence against women in the Caribbean

Sadly, country or region-specific data on digital violence against women in the Caribbean is not readily available. However, studies indicate that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is very prevalent in the Caribbean region, with violence against women and girls among the highest in the world, with 46% of women reported to have experienced at least one form of violence, including Intimate Partner Violence, in their lifetime. (Source:  United Nations Women).

Currently, several laws, policies and other measures exist in some Caribbean countries that could address violence against women, such as a Sexual Offences Act, a Domestic Violence Act, and a Child Protection Act, it does not seem to be enough, noting the prevalence of violence against women and girls across the region. Hence, the deficiencies in the legal frameworks are even greater in addressing digital abuse and digital violence.

Many Caribbean countries have attempted to address digital harm primarily through two types of legislation. First, their Cybercrime Act, which often criminalises cyberstalking, online harassment, cyberbullying and the Non-Consensual Sharing of Intimate Images, and second, through traditional laws on defamation and domestic violence, to name a few. However, the gaps in these frameworks render them inadequate to protect women fully. For example, the existing scope of the laws may be too narrow to cover more recent forms of abuse like doxing, deepfakes, or technology-facilitated coercive control within an intimate relationship. Additionally, the anonymous nature of the internet and the cross-border element of digital violence can make it difficult for local law enforcement to identify and prosecute offenders. Furthermore, older legislation tends to prioritise the protection of property, such as electronic systems and financial data, over the protection of women’s privacy, reputation, and psychological integrity.

 

Summary

The Caribbean region, and its girls and women, are not immune to digital abuse and digital violence, the source of which can be varied, nuanced and pervasive. Moreover, although these harms can start online, they can lead to violence in real life. Though we can support existing services and initiatives are address gender-based violence and online violence against women, it is important that we also advocate for stronger and more comprehensive frameworks, especially in light of how prevalent violence against women and girls is in the Caribbean region.

 

 

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