Protection Mechanisms for Female Victims of Cyber Crimes in Bangladesh

Cybercrime is any criminal behavior involving a computer or network, and it has become a worldwide concern for individuals, organizations, and governments. Women are disproportionately affected by cybercrime in Bangladesh, which frequently results in physical, psychological, and economic suffering. As of December 2017, the Cyber Help Desk of the Government's Information and Communication Technology Division had received more than 17,000 complaints, of which 70% were from women. In 78% of cases where pornographic images were altered digitally, the victim was found to be a woman. Cybercrime against women can take many forms, including online harassment, stalking, revenge porn, identity theft, and financial fraud. Such crimes can have significant consequences, including emotional pain, social isolation, and financial losses. When women in Bangladesh become victims of cybercrime, gaining access to justice and protection mechanism presents numerous challenges. Many women lack the required information and abilities to reach the complex legal system, which can further prevent them from seeking result. Moreover, there is a lack of information among law enforcement agencies about the nature and impact of cybercrime on women, which can result in poor responses to such crimes.

In recent years, the government and civil society organizations have taken various initiatives in Bangladesh to address cybercrime against women. For instance, the government has implemented laws, such as the Information and Communication Technology Act ,2006, the Digital Security Act 2018, the Pornography Control Act 2012 and other protection systems to fight various forms of cybercrime. But there is no specific definition addressing cyber crimes against women and the rate of increasing cyber crime is not satisfactory as it is expected. Moreover, there is a lack of clarity on the responsibilities of various units, such as the police and other special units, in enforcing these laws. Thus, protection mechanisms should take into account the special demands and problems faced by women in seeking justice and support.

• Supervision