Unsolicited images of fellows’ penises or ‘dick pics’ have ended up a part of everyday existence. Maybe you have obtained it, or perhaps your friend, sister, aunt, or cousin has been on the receiving end. In any case, the frequency with which unsolicited dick pictures are circulated has normalized the surprise element for most people. As the UK accepts and springs to phrases with this as a shape of cyber flashing, it’s high time that India needs to end its ambiguity too.
At the moment, the United Kingdom is calling attention to this phenomenon, promising to pop out with a law against the stated obscene images. While the punishment and/or nice is yet to be decided, just the truth that they have popular this as a form of online sexual harassment is a tremendous step. Back home, though, catcalling, heckling, whistling, and out-of-the-blue lewd songs are common occurrences for Indian girls. Over time, we’ve normalized this shape of actual-time harassment, particularly in the view that there is no concrete action taken against the culprits, so tackling cyber harassment as a “real” problem is a cry.
But right here’s the thing: just as flashing on street corners is sexual harassment, so is cyber flashing. While we do have sure legal guidelines which could protect us from the onslaught of dick pics, they may be seldom placed to apply. For example, research by using Feminism In India on “Violence” Online: Cybercrimes Against Women & Minorities on Social Media discovered that 36% of the 500 respondents, who have been sufferers of online abuse or harassment, took no action at all.
The findings from the research further found out that out of the 30% that did report online harassment to a law enforcement agency, most effective 11% appeared to be satisfied with the reaction–even as 38% of them characterized the response as ‘under no circumstances helpful.’ However, what became alarming was that 30% of the surveyed respondents stated they had not been privy to cyber legal guidelines that can provide them safety from online abuse and harassment.
Marry the law’s ambiguity to long-drawn criminal approaches, and the result is ladies’ reluctance to report such vile incidents. Indian cyber and IT legal guidelines have several subheads that specify which phase of the penal code your problem should fall under–harassment via email, cyberstalking, cyber defamation, morphing, email spoofing, hacking, cyber pornography, cyber sexual defamation, cyber flirting, and cyberbullying. But a separate provision to document unwanted sexually express photos or films does not exist. Hence, the victim’s hesitation and worry about defamation.
Social media websites and Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat have their own redressal committees that cope with lawsuits regarding harassment. These websites help block out indecent profiles. However, the prison movement is still desired. These faceless individuals ought to be apprehended and put underneath the scanner to be warned and corrected.
So, as the UK gears up for an act in opposition to cyber flashers, India needs to promote a healthy and secure online environment by addressing the anomaly surrounding cyber harassment. The area for redressal ought to also be of sensitized individuals who allow you to help sufferers come forward with their money owed.
