Gender-Based Cybercrimes Witnessed In Cyberspace – An Overview

Ms Vidya Nair, Assistant Professor, NMIMS

ABSTRACT

This article is focused upon gender-based cybercrimes or gender-based violence against women occurring in cyberspace. As we are more technologically equipped, the crime rates in cyberspace are also innumerable. Cybercrimes consists of different types of offences, and the most vulnerable victims of these cybercrimes are women in our society. The victims of these types of cybercrimes are suffering from mental agony, trauma and they are very much psychologically affected. In most of the cases, women are reluctant to report these cybercrimes to authorities as they are not completely aware of the formalities as well as the procedure to make complaint and in the fear of harming their family reputation. This is one of the reasons why gender – based cybercrimes are still gaining its pace to occur. Cyber stalking, cyber pornography, cyber trolling, cyber bullying, morphing, sexting and sextortion are the conspicuous gender – based cybercrimes in the present-day scenario. This article tries to analyse the existing legal provisions for controlling the same as well as will suggest recommendations for improving the situation by safeguarding the rights and interests of women.

Keywords: Gender-based cybercrimes, gender-based violence, vulnerable victims, mental agony, trauma, family reputation, cyber stalking, cyber pornography, cyber trolling, cyber bullying, morphing, sexting and sextortion.