A Web of Fear, Stigma and Vulnerability: The Effects of Cyber Sextortion on Adult Victims in Bangladesh

• In Event: Framing Victimization in a Digital Age

Abstract

Sextortion is a term that merges "sexual" and "extortion," denoting the coercive threat of disclosing intimate content to compel a victim to meet unlawful demands. A victim of cyber sextortion endures significant suffering, as the perpetrator has the ability to harm the victim both physically and in cyberspace. Many INGOs, local NGOs, and organisations are working to identify the impacts of digital violence on victims. According to a recent survey conducted by NETZ Bangladesh in 2023, technology-facilitated violence against women (TF-VAW) has affected more than 78% of Bangladeshi women. The most significant effect of internet harassment on women is psychological distress, which includes anxiety and sadness; then comes loss of confidence in online/social media activity, followed by trauma and self-dignity loss, as indicated by ActionAid Bangladesh's 2022 survey. Academic research has been conducted in Bangladesh on digital violence against women in general, encompassing the reasons for violence, categories of violence, the prevalence of the offences, legal limitations, and comprehensive impacts. Thus, this paper academically investigated and analysed the impacts of the cybersextortion crime on the female victims through an in-depth interview. The analysis identified four key themes: psychological and emotional effects, financial detriment (loss of income and employment), societal reactions influencing victims' lives, and the physical suffering experienced during their journey as survivors. This qualitative study represents one of the initial empirical investigations into the effects of cyber sextortion on victims in Bangladesh. This research established a foundation for the implementation of mental health services, prevention programs, and support systems for individuals impacted by sextortion in Bangladesh. The findings suggest the need for expanded legal definitions of image-based sexual abuse and technology-facilitated violence against women, alongside the recommendation of coping mechanisms based on best practices from developed countries.

Keywords: Cyber sextortion, impacts, technology, victims, violence

Author

• Monira Nazmi Jahan, University of Manchester, UK