Online Hate Speech
on platforms is also considered a form of digital violence. Hate speech involves using digital
platforms to disseminate or incite violence, discrimination, or hatred against individuals or groups based on characteristics such as race,
religion, gender, and sexual orientation. This type of abuse can lead to psychological and physical harm, exclusion, as well as physical
violence.
It is also important to be aware of deepfakes and their dangers. Deepfakes are AI generated and altered video or audio files disseminated
in the digital space. These files have been manipulated using artificial intelligence, especially since they are easy to produce as algorithms
in programs or applications allow for the creation of fake moving images, films, and audio recordings that are difficult to verify easily.
This content can be used to spread digital violence.
The term "Doxxing," is derived from the phrase "dropping dox (documents)," refers to the public dissemination of personal and private
information without prior consent. This includes home addresses, phone numbers, email addresses, or financial details.
This act can be a means of intimidation or to encourage others to harass the victim.
Mechanisms
A- Protecting victims by providing legal and psychological support, a safe and confidential mechanism for reporting digital violence
crimes, and how to the protect marginalized groups. The roles of relevant authorities, including security institutions, the Ministry of
Justice, the judiciary, the Ministry of Telecommunications (including the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority -TRA), the Ministry
of Education, and any other concerned ministries or departments. Combating digital violence crimes requires a Multi-Stakeholder
Governance Approach from all relevant actors, i.e. from the government to state institutions, the judiciary to technicians, as well as
civil society organizations from educational institutions, to the individuals. The implementation of these proposals will build a strong
protection system for victims of digital violence and foster a culture of cybersecurity and digital literacy for everyone, from all walks of
life, social classes, and every resident in Lebanon. Stakeholders can work collectively to develop a comprehensive and decentralized
process and protection mechanism for victims of digital violence, focusing on providing adequate support and facilitating easy and
confidential reporting. This approach must also avoid victim-blaming, safeguard privacy, and address the full range of psychological
and societal empowerment needs through the following:
1. A Comprehensive Mechanism to Protect Victims of Cybercrime in Lebanon
- Establishing laws and policies defining digital violence cases, and their degrees of severity.
- Establishing easy, clear, and confidential reporting mechanisms by building a . comprehensive protection system against digital violence. This includes clear government policies
across all administrations and training trainers on how to receive and handle complaints,
as well as supporting private initiatives within companies and especially in educational
institutions.
- Build coalitions of judges and a committee of lawyers to provide legal aid and counseling,
especially for those who do not have the financial means to do so This also includes
include the Ministries of Justice, Telecommunications, Social Affairs, and companies.-Develop clear policies to protect personal data in the digital space, and regulate the collection, storage, and usage of such data.-Developing effective mechanisms for reporting
digital violence crimes, ensuring the confidentiality of victims' data, providing them with
the necessary support, and protecting whistleblowers in these cases.
- Providing psychological support through an alliance and developing binding laws for
psychological follow-up for victims, while determining the cost and ensuring access for all
targeted social groups, as well as determining the entity authorized to work on its activation, implementation, and review - Providing specialized hotlines that operate around the
clock to offer initial support to victims.
- Providing free and specialized psychological and legal support services for victims whether they are children and adults. This can be achieved by establishing specialized support
centers in all Lebanese regions. Providing secure and confidential online platforms to file
reports, allowing victims to report crimes without having to go to police stations in person
- Organizing large-scale awareness programs about cybercrimes and how to prevent them,
with a focus on vulnerable groups such as women, children, and the elderly.
- Whistleblower or witness protection programs implemented to protect the identity of
victims who disclose what happened and may file a complaint or report and may be subject to retaliation.
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