Cybercrime a new Menace for Women
In general, cybercrime may be defined as “Any unlawful act where computer or communication device or computer network is used to commit or facilitate the commission of a crime”.
As per NCRB(National Crime Record Bureau),Cybercrimes reported in Delhi alone saw an increase of 55% in 2020 as compared to 2019. A total of 166 cases were reported in 2020 as compared to 107 in 2019.
Below is a list of some of the cybercrimes against women along with their indicative explanations. This is to facilitate better reporting of complaints.
- Harassment through e-mails: Harassment via email, includes blackmailing, threatening, and constant sending of love letters in anonymous names or regular sending of embarrassing emails.
- Cyberstalking: ‘Stalkers are strengthened by the anonymity the internet offers. He may be on the other side of the earth, or a next-door neighbour or a near relative!’ It involves following a person’s movements across the Internet by posting messages (sometimes threatening) on the bulletin boards frequented by the victim, entering the chat-rooms frequented by the victim, constantly bombarding the victim with emails, etc. In general, the stalker intends to cause emotional distress and has no legitimate purpose in his communications.
- Cyber defamation: Cyber defamation also called Cyber smearing can be understood as the intentional infringement of ‘another person’s right to his good name. ‘Cyber Defamation occurs with the help of computers and/or the Internet. It is considered more of a menace owing to its expeditious nature.
- Child pornography: Child sexually abusive material (CSAM) refers to material containing sexual images in any form, of a child who is abused or sexually exploited. Section 67 (B) of the IT Act states that “it is punishable for publishing or transmitting of material depicting children in the sexually explicit act, etc. in electronic form.
- Cyberbullying: A form of harassment or bullying inflicted through the use of electronic or communication devices such as computers, mobile phones, laptops, etc.
- Cyber grooming: Cyber Grooming is when a person builds an online relationship with a young person and tricks or pressures him/ her into doing a sexual act.
Remedies for Women against Cybercrime
1. The Scheme for Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children (CCWC) has been formulated by the Ministry of Home Affairs to have an effective mechanism to handle cybercrimes against women and children in the country.
Components of the CCPWC Scheme
· Online Cybercrime reporting Unit
· Forensic Unit
· Capacity Building Unit
· Research & development Unit
· Awareness Creation Unit
2. Ministry of Home Affairs has developed a portal named www.cybercrime.gov.in to enable people to report cybercrime complaints.
3. Computer security policy with guidelines has been circulated by the government to all the departments to mitigate, detect and prevent cyberattacks.
4. Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology has issued an advisory on functioning of Matrimonial website on 6thJune, 2016 under IT Act, 2000 and Rules made there under directing the matrimonial websites to adopt safeguards to ensure that people using these websites are not deceived through the means of fake profiles or misuse/wrong information posted on the website.
5. The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) has set up Cyber Forensics Training Labs in north-eastern States and cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata and Bangalore to train State police officials and judiciary in cybercrime detection and collection, preservation and seizing of electronic evidence and dealing with cybercrime.
Way ahead
· To dodge cybercrime, it is strongly recommended not to disclose confidential information online.
· Empower and educate children and women with adequate knowledge and awareness regarding the occurrence of such crimes in the society to make them feel safe and protected.
· Exercise presence of mind and caution while dealing with such threats. Do not fall dupe to fancies.
· Be well acquainted about the growth in the internet and technology to stay unharmed.
· If cybercrime happens report it to the cyber cell of police immediately and ask of quick actions. Because, “Justice delayed is justice denied”.
· Instead of suffering silently and sitting, the victims should raise their voice for the justice because, “if you do not offend the crime, crime will offend you.”
