Sunday, 09 March, 2025
In the last few days, someone has been making malicious comments on Rodela's (not real name) YouTube channel, maligning her character.
Rodela, unsure of the identity or motives of the perpetrator, was forced to remove the comments and disable the comment section. However, some of her colleagues managed to take screenshots of the comments before they were deleted.
She has been repeatedly humiliated and insulted, with false accusations making her out to be a criminal. As a result, Rodela has been unable to go to work for several days, remaining at home in distress. Although her parents have frequently inquired about her well-being, she has struggled to speak about the situation, fearing that her family might misunderstand her and that the stress would negatively affect her mental health.
According to data from the Police Cyber Support Center for Women (PCSW), part of the Police Headquarters, a total of 9,117 harassment complaints were filed in 2024. These complaints were spread across the months, with notable spikes in June (842) and September (979).
A PhD study titled Psychosocial Changes in Women Victims of Cyber Violence and Evaluation of the Criminal Justice System in Bangladesh reveals that women are most frequently targeted by cyber violence from ex-boyfriends.
Cyberspace has increasingly become an "easy weapon" for harassing women, with perpetrators ranging from acquaintances to strangers, ex-husbands, ex-boyfriends, online friends, classmates, and neighbors. The study shows that 33% of women experience cyber violence from ex-boyfriends, 20% from online friends, and 16% from strangers, while 12% are harassed by ex-husbands. The figures also highlight that 90% of victims reside in urban areas, with 37% being students, 29% working in government jobs, 20% in the private sector, and 12% housewives.
Research indicates that approximately 90% of online violence cases go unreported.
Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of the Police Headquarters, Media and Public Relations Department, Enamul Haque, urged victims to file complaints with the police. "If you do not file a complaint, it is not possible for the police to take legal action. Women police officers at the PCSW are available to assist, providing a comfortable environment for victims to report," he said.
Bangladesh Mohila Parishad President Fawzia Moslem emphasized the need for greater efforts to ensure women's safety in cyberspace. "While laws are in place, they are not being enforced effectively. Women's daily lives will continue to be miserable if this situation persists. The government must focus on ensuring the safety of women online," she stated.
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In the last few days, someone has been making malicious comments on Rodela's (not real name) YouTube channel, maligning her character.
Rodela, unsure of the identity or motives of the perpetrator, was forced to remove the comments and disable the comment section. However, some of her colleagues managed to take screenshots of the comments before they were deleted.
She has been repeatedly humiliated and insulted, with false accusations making her out to be a criminal. As a result, Rodela has been unable to go to work for several days, remaining at home in distress. Although her parents have frequently inquired about her well-being, she has struggled to speak about the situation, fearing that her family might misunderstand her and that the stress would negatively affect her mental health.
According to data from the Police Cyber Support Center for Women (PCSW), part of the Police Headquarters, a total of 9,117 harassment complaints were filed in 2024. These complaints were spread across the months, with notable spikes in June (842) and September (979).
A PhD study titled Psychosocial Changes in Women Victims of Cyber Violence and Evaluation of the Criminal Justice System in Bangladesh reveals that women are most frequently targeted by cyber violence from ex-boyfriends.
Cyberspace has increasingly become an "easy weapon" for harassing women, with perpetrators ranging from acquaintances to strangers, ex-husbands, ex-boyfriends, online friends, classmates, and neighbors. The study shows that 33% of women experience cyber violence from ex-boyfriends, 20% from online friends, and 16% from strangers, while 12% are harassed by ex-husbands. The figures also highlight that 90% of victims reside in urban areas, with 37% being students, 29% working in government jobs, 20% in the private sector, and 12% housewives.
Research indicates that approximately 90% of online violence cases go unreported.
Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of the Police Headquarters, Media and Public Relations Department, Enamul Haque, urged victims to file complaints with the police. "If you do not file a complaint, it is not possible for the police to take legal action. Women police officers at the PCSW are available to assist, providing a comfortable environment for victims to report," he said.
Bangladesh Mohila Parishad President Fawzia Moslem emphasized the need for greater efforts to ensure women's safety in cyberspace. "While laws are in place, they are not being enforced effectively. Women's daily lives will continue to be miserable if this situation persists. The government must focus on ensuring the safety of women online," she stated.
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