Buzz
Victims of online harassment can be anyone. No matter the form of attack, they all undergo the same level of trauma.
I've encountered numerous victims of online harassment. When they seek me out, they bear frustration, injury, and heavy psychological trauma that they cannot share with anyone.
Harassment is a sensitive issue, and being harassed makes it even harder to speak up. The skeptical, probing eyes from society make it difficult for many to seek help when they are in trouble.
When under virtual cyber attack
According to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), sexual harassment encompasses unwanted sexual behaviors such as physical contact, remarks, evaluations; displaying pornographic images, objects; verbal or physical advances.
Cyber harassment also includes similar behaviors, but it is manifested through technology platforms including social media, email, messaging..., both privately and publicly. This is also recognized as a form of sexual violence.
In conversing with many of my patients, I've noticed that not everyone fully understands the issue of cyber harassment. Some believe that only when they receive images or sensitive remarks from malicious individuals, it constitutes harassment. While this is true, it's not comprehensive.
Online sexual harassment mainly occurs in 3 forms:
Currently, the loopholes and shortcomings in the content management of social media platforms have led to an increasing trend of online harassment.
Technological advancements, coupled with lax management of social media, are among the reasons why many people become victims of sexual harassment. Illustrative image: Lawfirm.
According to the report 'Sexual Harassment in the Workplace - Awareness, Situation, and Response' published by the Center for Consultancy and Training on Local Development STG in June 2022, in Vietnam, few people consider the dissemination of unwanted pornographic content online as harassment.
Among them, nearly 70% of those surveyed do not consider actions such as 'repeatedly receiving pornographic emails or messages, or inappropriate ones' as harassment.
Moreover, many among them view comments, sexually suggestive anecdotes (sex jokes) as a daily amusement, without realizing that it constitutes sexual harassment.
Anyone can be a victim
The peculiarity of cyber harassment lies in its propagation, attacking through digital platforms. Hence, many misconceive that the victims of this issue are often young individuals who are heavily engaged with technology.
However, in my view, anyone can be a victim of harassment regardless of their age or gender. And what I want to emphasize: Victims of sexual harassment, regardless of the form, suffer the same psychological trauma.
Among them, the most severe psychological trauma is PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) - a stress disorder after trauma. This is a collection of many symptoms that a person experiences after enduring a highly traumatic event, either psychologically or physically.
I have conversed with many patients who have experienced recurring nightmares, many of whom cannot forget what happened, lose control of their emotions, become distressed, desperate, and always seek a way to escape.
These things significantly reduce their quality of life and impact their social functions such as being unable to work, attend school, etc.
Regardless of the form of attack, the pain of the victims remains the same. Illustrative image: Freepik.
Moreover, there are other common psychological reactions in victims of sexual harassment, such as constant feelings of insecurity, worrying about the future, especially those who are attacked by the dissemination of private, sensitive content.
Based on observation and actual cases I have treated, harassers are often individuals who have prior acquaintance and connection with the victim. Hence, these perpetrators are more likely to access the victim's sensitive images, content, and have the opportunity to distribute and spread them for malicious purposes.
When treated in such a manner by someone they once trusted, it becomes a significant shock, causing severe psychological trauma to the victim. They gradually withdraw, become wary, and lose trust in everyone. Some may begin to feel inferior, doubt themselves, constantly feel ashamed and humiliated.
Due to the widespread dissemination on the Internet, not only direct victims suffer damage. Those with close relationships such as parents, children, spouses, or partners may also experience similar psychological impacts.
How to protect yourself?
Firstly, to avoid becoming the next victim of online sexual harassment, the best way is to protect your personal information.
I always urge everyone never to send any sensitive images, videos to others, or post them on social media. The Internet is a double-edged sword, even if you delete it, the traces will still remain or be stored by others for malicious purposes.
Secondly, when harassed, victims need to quickly seek support. Some may be too frightened, stressed while under attack, leading to an inability to make appropriate decisions for the situation.
That's when they need support in terms of emotional, legal, and problem-solving approaches.
Every victim of online sexual harassment needs psychological care and attention after experiencing trauma. Illustrative image: Freepik.
Thirdly, victims of online harassment need to preserve evidence for reporting to authorities, including all messages, contact information, IP addresses, emails, domains... of the attacker.
Moreover, in case the victim's sensitive information, images are exposed on social media platforms, they need to report to those platforms themselves to receive support in removal, avoiding uncontrollable dissemination.
All current social media platforms are subject to legal regulations. This requires platforms to have laws to protect users from attacks.
Fourthly, victims should report immediately to authorities if the harassment is severe, repeated many times, shows signs of endangerment, affects their safety, dignity, and reputation for legal protection.
Lastly, every victim of harassment needs psychological care and attention after experiencing trauma. This care can come from those around them such as family, friends, and professionals in the field like doctors, specialists.
Author: Nguyen Trung Nghia - Psychologist
Posted by: Phuong Thuy TV
Keywords: The boundary of teasing - harassment through online messages
