Hidden and Silent: Understanding the Rise of Digital Abuse
South Africa has one of the highest rates of gender-based
violence on the globe.
As we recently observed 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children, it is important to recognise that while physical abuse remains a critical issue, another subtle form of violence that often escapes the spotlight is on the rise.
Digital abuse is a form of abuse that has seen an alarming surge in recent years, especially in today’s fast-paced world, where the concept of cellphone dependence is real.
Thanks to social media algorithms, you now have carefully curated content at your fingertips, making cellphones an indispensable tool. Now, while phones have become a must-have device in a modern and ever-changing world, this has led to a disturbing rise in incidents of cyberbullying, digital abuse, online harassment, and revenge pornography.
Social media expert at the Digital Law Company, Emma Sadlier, believes digital abuse is not only rife, but it has reached levels of an international crisis.
“So, what I’m seeing in my practice is the emergence of people’s images being used to cause them harm. We call it image-based violence. We used to talk a lot about revenge pornography. Now we are dealing with a lot of artificial intelligence-created images, but really, all a person needs are photographs of somebody, they can press a couple of buttons, there are also all these apps available and are even in the hands of primary school kids, and they can turn each other into deepfake nudes”, she said.
Sadlier adds that image-based violence is increasing at a disturbing rate.
“We do, however, thank goodness, have the emergence of various new laws. For example, if you send someone a threat of violence or threat to damage property in the form of a data or digital message, that becomes an offense under the Cyber-Crimes Act”, she said.
A UNICEF report, published in 2021, found that 95% of children in the country have access to the internet on a regular basis; with 70% surveyed indicating they use the internet without their parents' consent.
A further 25% confirmed that they have added people with whom they have never met face-to-face to their friends or contact list, and 18% have sent a photo or video of themselves to someone they’ve never met in person.
Digital abuse, like any other form of abuse, can be harmful and create emotional and psychological damage. Teenagers are especially at risk, with the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) saying online and digital abuse encompasses a range of abusive behaviours.
SADAG’s Caley Wood says the prevalence of this type of abuse is worrying.
“It is very, very prevalent at the moment and I think what makes it difficult is the different forms of abuse”, she added.
According to Wood, devices have become “digital best friends” for many, therefore, this behaviour is not only prevalent but an everyday occurrence that is often hard to manage or even police.
Wood, however, offers parents this bit of advice.
“What I would always recommend is setting clear boundaries online. That is something very important that includes blocking, muting the user, limiting social media abuse, focusing on self-care activities, and reporting that that is very critical”, Wood added.
Dr Eileen Carter from the South African Human Rights Commission believes digital abuse or cyberbullying is mainly used to perpetuate harm against women.
“It is so important for women to know that they can go to court and ask for intervention, whether it is through the Protection against Harassment Act, or the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act. Elements of recourse are available to women”,
“We need to start speaking out a little bit more and make sure that people are just aware of what types of recourse are available. This should not be a silent fight, there are mechanisms that our law makes for the victims, and it is really time that we popularise these laws”, Carter said.
In a landmark Gauteng High Court ruling in November 2024, a Germiston woman successfully sued a couple for distributing revenge porn on Facebook. The court awarded her R3.5 million in damages.
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