This subjectivity creates significant legal ambiguity. For example, the law mentions
severe bullying and defamation, but what qualifies? If someone sends a private
message calling a person names, is that defamation of character? This question is
crucial, as most women reported that the abuse was delivered via private message
(47%), not through public comments or targeted campaigns. The legal definition
of defamation stresses the word "publication,"33 as its basis is publicity. Similarly,
character assassination involves slandering a person to destroy public confidence
in them, again stressing the public aspect.
This ambiguity extends to other forms of heavily debated online violence. It is
unrealistic to assume someone could be prosecuted for saying “go back to the
kitchen” or for objectifying jokes. This type of violence lacks an immediate impact,
and the gradual normalization of subjugation, objectification, and infantilization is
not seen as a serious issue. If women's issues are not taken seriously offline, they
are unlikely to be taken seriously when an anonymous troll34 says them behind a
screen. As one participant pondered, “I feel the procedures are still unclear. How is
an abuser who exists online held accountable? What happens to them? How are they
punished?” Clarifying these definitions and procedures would provide greater
legal certainty.
Finally, support services face practical constraints. The limited number of lawyers
specializing in cybercrime, coupled with the inaccessibility of security centres for
women in remote areas and court-related costs, can create significant obstacles.
Streamlining these pathways and investing in specialized legal aid and remote
reporting options would help ensure that all women, regardless of location or
economic means, can seek justice effectively. The overall sentiment suggests a
need to build on the existing framework. As one participant summarized, “The
problem is not the law; the problem is the application mechanism,” indicating that
focused improvements in implementation could significantly enhance outcomes
for women.
Sociocultural barriers
A fundamental barrier is the widespread normalization of online abuse and a lack
of awareness that it constitutes a crime. “Many women do not know they are being
subjected to TFGBV; they normalize the abuse,” which is compounded by a pervasive
lack of trust, as “girls often do not report abuse due to a lack of trust in their parents
or the system.” The issue is further exacerbated for those outside urban centres,
where “awareness and help are centered in Amman, leaving many remote areas
underserved.”
33
Legal Information Institute, “Defamation,” Cornell Law School, accessed October 1, 2025,
https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/defamation.
34
Trolling is Internet slang for a person who intentionally tries to instigate conflict, hostility, or arguments in an online
social community. Platforms targeted by trolls can include the comment sections of YouTube, forums, or chat rooms.
Source
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