Information and Communication Technology related violence refers to violence perpetrated through new information and communication technologies such as the mobile phone and internet (social networking sites, email). It is also known as digital or cyber violence. It can include pornography, child pornography, stalking, misuse of the internet, uploading inappropriate pictures or videos of women and girls without their permission on the internet or mobile phones, intimidating, threatening or blackmailing women and girls via social network sites, websites or mobile phones or widely circulating personal and abusive emails.

 
For more information on protecting yourself on cyberspace click here: UNWomen Cyber Violence Against Women and Girls

The 2006 UN Secretary General report on all forms of violence against women and girls (Ending Violence Against Women: Study of the Secretary-General) recognized new forms of violence against women that have developed with the advent of the new information and communication technologies (ICTs). Incidents of ICT related violence against women and girls are also on the rise in Sri Lanka. Women and girls are particularly vulnerable to sexual harassment and abuse as information communication technologies make it easier for perpetrators to access and circulate personal information and pictures with the motive of causing harm to the individual.

Despite the lack of data and research that provide statistics on the nature and extent of violence against women and girls in cyber space, it has been accepted as a serious violation of women’s human rights and safety and the UN Secretary General’s report on VAW has called upon member states to address the issue. Unfortunately Sri Lanka lacks sufficient laws to protect women and girls from cyber related violence and abuse. Women and girls therefore should take precautions when uploading pictures onto the internet for example via social networking sites, email or when sharing personal information via the internet.