online child abuse and 113 cases related to hate speech and incitement,
showcasing its dedicated effort to pursue complex and harmful criminal activity29.
Jordanian law contains a strong legal framework beyond cybercrime laws that
work to protect women in online spaces, including the Telecommunication law
(13) of 199530, Online Transactions Law (15) of 201531, the Penal Code (16) of
196032, and many other laws that intersect with digital violence (check annex 1)
Despite the legalities and the cybercrime unit's efforts, women and girls remain
hesitant to report online abuse.
Our research identifies several key areas within the reporting infrastructure that
present challenges for women seeking help, pointing to opportunities for
strengthening the system. A primary area for development is the capacity-building
of front-line personnel. While there are dedicated officers to report cybercrimes
to, interviews suggest that enhanced, standardized training on handling genderbased violence could improve victim support. The presence of female officers was
also highlighted as a key factor in making reporting spaces more comfortable for
women. While there are female officers at the unit, it is not stressed on the unit’s
website or mandate.
The process to report an incident is also hindered by a lack of public awareness
and procedural clarity. Many women are unaware of the specific services provided
by the cybercrime unit or the steps involved in filing a report. This is compounded
by an unclear referral pathway between different entities, such as the cybercrime
unit and family protection departments. As one participant explained, “There is no
unified mechanism or an umbrella that you can tell women if they want to report,
these are the steps.” This ambiguity can be particularly challenging for young
women and those without access to legal counsel. While confidentiality protocols
are in place, participants praised the Police sector's performance in ensuring
consistent application of these protocols remains a priority to maintain trust.
“The police sector is providing some women privacy when it comes to these crimes,
which is amazing,” a participant
The legislative framework itself presents interpretive challenges. The current
cybercrime law offers a broad foundation for addressing online offenses. However,
its application to the specific nature of gender-based online violence could be
strengthened. Key terms within the law are open to interpretation, which can lead
to uncertainty for both victims and practitioners.
29
2023 ”,2022 “وحدة مكافحة الجرائم اإللكترونية في األمن العام تنشر إحصائيتها السّنوية للعام،مديرية األمن العام, https://2cm.es/1amba.
30
Telecommunication law
31
Online Transactions Law
32
Penal Code
19