a cassation lawyer and the head of the foundation, shared some recent cases
with SMEX. One instance involved a girl whose photos were illicitly obtained by a
friend, who then demanded money to refrain from publicizing them.
Unable to pay the blackmailer, the victim turned to the foundation for help.
According to Adel, the situation escalated when the blackmailer started
pressuring the victim to steal her mother’s jewelry. Adel explained, “We 몭led a
report on the incident, but the criminal decided to visit the victim’s house and
expose her in front of her family and those around her. Subsequently, both girls
were taken to the police station, where the blackmailer 몭led a report against the
victim, resulting in both spending the night in the same cell.”
The incident occurred almost a year and a half ago, yet it remains under
investigation. The victim continues to grapple with psychological trauma
stemming from her arrest and enforced proximity to the girl who had
blackmailed her, as per Adel’s account shared with SMEX.
Adel observed that cybercrimes against women surged with the onset of
isolation measures implemented globally in 2020 to curb the spread of the
COVID-19 pandemic. The increased reliance on the internet during this period
prompted many individuals to be more present and seek companionship online
as a substitute for their tangible reality.
“Virtual communication has played a role in cultivating unreal relationships,
ultimately leaving many women vulnerable to exploitation. Blackmail, in various
forms, tends to target speci몭c groups, including children, elderly women, and
married women,” said Adel. She explained that the sensitivity surrounding
cybercrime, further complicated by societal stigma, contributes to the situation’s
complexity.
Adel points out that additional factors, such as the absence of psychological and
forensic clinics in proximity to reporting centers, have adversely impacted the
e몭ciency and expediency of investigations. This, in turn, hinders the potential for
swift results. It also compromises the privacy of those who report such incidents.
In a report released last March, the United Nations highlighted that 37% of
women refrain from using the internet, citing a lack of security as one of the
reasons hindering the development of their digital skills. This limitation