This year, the theme for the 16 Days of Activism to end Gender-Based Violence is ‘UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls’. The 16 days runs from the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on the 25th November, to Human Rights Day on the 10th December. 

Throughout the 16 Days, we’re sharing information and insights around our work and digital violence. Today. We’re sharing a case study from our work. 

AA and the AP were together for nearly two years. The relationship was controlling from the outset, and AA noticed some concerning behaviours. The domestic abuse was prevalent, and AA broke up with the AP when the AP physically assaulted her. 

A short time after the relationship ended, AA began to realise that the AP just couldn’t let this go and he started to display controlling abusive behaviour through alternative means, and this was online.

Over the following weeks AA’s social media accounts were accessed and the AP went on to send AA messages of a violent and concerning nature and call her relentlessly, often daily. AA stated that the messages would sometimes be delivered within less than a minute from each other. 

AA reported it to the police, and the police took the AP’s phone for investigation purposes. The AP was arrested and subsequently bailed, with conditions in place for the AP not to contact AA directly or indirectly and not to go into the area where AA lived. So far, since the imposition of the bail conditions, unfortunately there have been reported breaches. 

A recent example of a breach that really concerned AA was that she went on to her TikTok account, and it appeared that the AP’s nephew had liked her video, unliked it and had been on her profile. However, this was an account he would never have known about as he didn’t follow AA or know it existed, as any accounts AA had on social media were blocked. 

AA took screenshots and screen recorded her concerns. She recognised that the AP’s nephew is young, and this made her think that he would not have searched and found her account off her own back alone. It unsettled AA, and she now questions everything she does. 

Whatever conditions are imposed, this doesn’t necessarily take away the fear, and there are always ways that an AP can digitally be abusive and stalk a victim.

If you are being subjected to digital abuse, help is available.

The Cyber Helpline is a free, confidential helpline for anyone who has been a victim of cybercrime. They help individuals contain, recover, and learn from cyber attacks by linking them with cyber security experts who provide relevant advice and guidance. Their chatbot and team of volunteer cyber security experts will talk in a language that you understand and are able to advise you in all cyber security scenarios.

The Revenge Porn Helpline provides information and help one on getting online images removed.

If you are in the Thames Valley, or are in or have a link to the Armed Forces we can help. 

Thames Valley

Armed Forces Helpline: 

  • Helpline & WhatsApp: +44 (0)333 0912 527
  • Helpline hours (GMT): 0900-1500 Monday to Friday
  • WhatsApp chat (GMT): Tuesday 0900-1500 / Wednesday & Thursday 1700-2000 / Sunday 1000-1400

Elsewhere in the UK, you can contact the National Stalking Helpline and the Revenge Porn Helpline

#16days #NoExcuse and #ACTtoEndViolence