Digital Behavior and Security Measures
Key Insights
Patterns Identified
• Survivors adopt defensive digital behaviors,
• Minimized digital presence: Survivors limit
including deleting social media accounts,
using pseudonyms, or restricting online
activity.
• Lack of awareness of digital risks and safety
measures exacerbates vulnerability to TFGBV.
their online visibility to reduce the risk of
future abuse.
• Need for education: Participants noted a lack
of awareness about secure digital practices
among women.
• Role of civil society in raising awareness:
Illustrative
Reflections
Participants mentioned cases where survivors
deleted all online accounts, leaving only minimal
communication methods like WhatsApp.
“I had to delete most of my social
media accounts. It feels like I’ve
disappeared from the world.”
Another participant highlighted the need for
gender-sensitive digital safety training.
“I’ve started learning about digital
safety, but I wish this kind of
knowledge was shared before it was
too late.”
FGD participants shared information related
to their ability as service providers to educate
rights holders on digital safety and TFGBV.
They discussed their efforts to raise awareness
among rights holders, providing them with
knowledge about the risks associated with
digital platforms and strategies to enhance
their online safety. Participants emphasized
the importance of empowering individuals
with tools and resources to recognize and
respond to TFGBV effectively, while also
highlighting the challenges they face, such as
limited resources and varying levels of digital
literacy among rights holders.
Discussion
While these protective measures provide shortterm safety, they restrict women’s ability to
engage fully in digital spaces, underscoring the
need for systemic solutions that prioritize both
safety and agency.
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