What is gender-based violence on social media? Here's what to do and where to report it if you're a victim.
Gender-based violence is also evident on social media when violent acts threaten a person's well-being. According to sociologist and criminologist Pau Crespo Donet, this situation has been particularly prevalent against women.
According to data shared by the professor and director of the Official Master's Program in Interdisciplinary Intervention in Gender-Based Violence at the International University of Valencia (VIU), women experience everything from harassment to threats that violate their integrity on social media.
Women account for 75.6 percent of victims. Photo: iStock
Figures from the International University of Valencia (VIU) reveal that there were 66,621 cases of gender-based violence recorded in the country between January and June 2024. This figure reflects that 75.6 percent of the victims were women and that the medium through which gender-based violence occurred most frequently was through various social media platforms.
Furthermore, it is clarified that the situation has worsened, in part, due to the arrival of new election days, which has increased political visibility. This has been particularly denounced by female candidates on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and X.
The expert clarifies that citizens have become more aware of this situation, but there are still people who don't recognize its risks. " There is increasing social awareness about the risks and consequences of violence against women, including violence perpetrated online," the expert notes.
And he added: "However, at the same time, the number of deniers who trivialize the risks is increasing."
In 2024, more than 66,621 cases of gender-based violence were recorded in Colombia. Photo: iStock
Given the widespread use of social media, the VIU team recommends a series of steps and self-protection measures that victims should take when faced with potential digital harassment.
Recommendations to keep in mind:- Preserve evidence: It's essential to save all violent messages or content received. If these messages are found in public digital spaces, it's recommended to take screenshots as backup.
- Block the aggressor: To prevent further violence, the aggressor should be blocked on all social media and digital platforms where the attack occurred.
- File a formal complaint: It's important to go to the appropriate authorities, such as the police or the courts, to file a formal complaint about the violence.
- Reporting on social media: In addition to filing a formal complaint, you should report the aggressor and the violent content on social media, following the mechanisms each platform offers for this type of situation.
Additionally, it is recommended to log out of shared site accounts, limit the information posted on social media, whether public or private, and avoid sending private content to others.
"It is essential that victims document the violence and report the incident, as this is the only way to stop the abuser and prevent the situation from continuing, " emphasizes the VIU professor.
Valencia International University (VIU). Photo: social media
The Bogotá Mayor's Office informs that if you are a victim of a cybercrime, you should visit the official National Police portals to file a report with the appropriate authorities.
- Enter the official website of the National Police.
- Select Virtual Reporting.
- Read the terms and conditions.
- Select the category corresponding to the complaint and review the regulations if there are any questions.
- Confirm whether the incidents have already been reported; if so, have the details of the previous report on hand.
- Complete the information requested by the platform.
Cyber incidents are reported to the Colombian National Police's Virtual CAI. Photo: iStock
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