Authors: Fazal, J., Khan, S., Dad, N. Online harassment: A retrospective review of records Digital Rights Foundation, Pakistan Authors: Fazal, J., Khan, S., Dad, N.

Background: gendered harassment Background: gendered harassment Social inequality and gender-bias: women in Pakistan Review of literature - impact of cyber harassment on mental health worldwide Dearth of research on cyber harassment and its implications on women’s mental health in Pakistan

Background Background: what we did Need assessment through ‘Hamara Internet’ survey Post-session quantitative research , cross-sectional design with convenience sampling, self-reported surveys measuring access to technological tools of communication, frequency of usage, digital lifestyles and perceptions, degrees of cyber-harassment experienced, digital literacy and awareness of legal rights.

Introduction: Helpline at DRF The Helpline was set up in December 1, 2016 after a need assessment through Hamara Internet The Helpline Support Staff: 2 call agents, 1 lawyer trained in local laws and 1 psychologist

Introduction: Referral Networks Methods: Helpline at DRF Referral Network: The referral network consists of other helplines dealing with psychological issues, Law Enforcement Agencies and relevant government departments (shelter homes and provincial women commissions) Rozan Helpline for emotional health, gender and violence against women and children National Response Centre For Cyber Crime, Federal Investigation Agency

Objective For Pakistan’s first cyber harassment helpline, we attempt to describe the callers emotional responses and reported effects on their mental health

Methods: review of operations Retrospectively reviewed record from December 2016 to March 2017 Telephonic questionnaire: demographic information, but no personal identifiers collected A descriptive analysis and psychological review Data was collected through cyber harassment Helpline using telephonic questionnaire(demographic sheet) Helpline started operating from December 2016 and review of operations is from start to March 2017

Ethics: confidentiality & ‘no harm’ This research fulfilled the exemption criteria set by the MSF-ERB for a posteriori analyses of routinely collected clinical data. Confidentiality was maintained by a strict policy of not obtaining or recording personally-identifiable information from callers. Potential emotional distress from ‘reliving’ an online harassment incident is acknowledged and it was accounted for by providing counselling services and referral to dedicated mental health helplines

Results: an overview Total number of cases: 513 Total calls for descriptive analysis: 406 Total calls for psychological review: 50

Results: by gender 62% of harassment reported by women, of these: 87% of the women were calling for themselves; 7.2% were calling on behalf of a family members and 4.8% were calling on behalf of a friend 37% of harassment reported by men, of these: 59% of the men were calling for themselves; 29.8% were calling on behalf of a family members and 11% were calling on behalf of a friend

Results: Nature of complaints Descriptive analysis of the calls revealed:

Results: Recurrent emotional responses Total 50* (100) Anger 45 (90) Fear 47 (94) Sadness 42 (84) Self-doubt 20 (40) Internalized blame 21 (42) Helplessness 38 (76) Guilt 15 (30) Frustration 28 (56) *N Total is the individual callers, however each caller reported more than one response

Results: functionality disturbance Impact of cyber harassment N* (%) Total 50 (100) Depression 38 (72) Sleep disturbance 35 (60) Insecurity 42 (84) Mistrust and withdrawal 31 (62) Generalized anxiety and paranoia 22 (44) Suicidal thoughts 12 (18) Chronic stress 37 (68) Relationship problems 9 (23) *N Total is the individual callers, however each caller reported more than one response

Conclusion Cyber harassment is experienced by both men and women across Pakistan. Victims of cyber harassment report emotional responses and effects on their mental health as well as social well-being. This is a result of the suffering they have undergone but are not willing to share. Seeking care is problematic due to the stigma attached to victim blaming/shaming.

Programmatic Implications: for DRF Cyber harassment awareness and Privacy and data protection training for Legal agencies, schools, college and university students, organizations (NGOs, start-ups, CSOs), human rights activists, journalists, lawyers and marginalized communities. Victim identification training is additionally going to be provided to Federal Investigation Agency (mental health and gender sensitivity)

Acknowledgements MSF: Dr. Safieh Shah ( Consultant ) DRF: Lauvat Zahid, Hija Kamran, Seerat Khan, Hyra Basit