Online Reporter
Brenda Rumutsa, [email protected]
IN today’s digital era, technology has become intricately woven into nearly every facet of human life. It has revolutionised the way people communicate, work, learn and express themselves. Social media platforms, mobile phones and instant messaging have made the world feel smaller, more connected and more efficient.
Yet, beneath this web of progress lies a darker reality — an emerging form of violence that flourishes within the very technologies designed to bring people together. This form of abuse, known as Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV), stands as one of the most pervasive and least visible threats to human dignity in the digital age.
Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence refers to acts of harassment, intimidation, manipulation, or control that are committed, enabled, or intensified through digital tools and online spaces.
It encompasses a wide range of behaviours, including online stalking, cyberbullying, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, impersonation, digital surveillance, and emotional manipulation via communication technologies.
What sets TFGBV apart from traditional forms of gender-based violence is its reach — it transcends physical and geographical boundaries.
The abuse does not end when victims leave their homes, relationships, or workplaces.
It follows them through the glowing screens of their devices, through messages and notifications that arrive at all hours, and through the persistent fear that even when the phone is off, the harassment continues unseen.
Historically, survivors of abuse could find safety in distance. Separation often marked the beginning of healing — a chance to rebuild lives away from those who had harmed them. But technology has erased that sanctuary.
Today, a perpetrator can exert control from miles away, their voice carried through WhatsApp audios and voice calls, their presence reinforced through constant digital contact.
A single message can reopen old wounds, while one post or image shared online can shatter reputations and peace of mind in seconds. For many survivors, the sound of a notification alone can trigger anxiety and panic — a stark reminder that their abuser’s reach extends beyond the physical realm.
The relentless nature of TFGBV makes it especially cruel. It does not pause for rest; it does not wait for confrontation. It intrudes at work, at school, during sleep and in moments of solitude.
The victim’s sense of safety and privacy is eroded, replaced by hypervigilance and dread. The mind becomes trapped in a cycle of fear, anticipating the next message, the next threat, or the next public humiliation.
A mobile phone or computer — once symbols of connection and empowerment — become instruments of control and subjugation.
Within relationships, technology has also emerged as a tool for coercive control. Partners may demand access to passwords, insist on monitoring messages, or require constant location sharing under the guise of care or safety.
What begins as small acts of trust can quickly evolve into patterns of surveillance and domination. Over time, victims learn to modify their behaviour, avoiding anything that might provoke suspicion or anger.
They begin to equate compliance with peace, unaware that they are being conditioned into submission.
This type of digital control mirrors traditional abusive dynamics but operates more subtly, often disguised as concern or affection.
The anonymity of the digital world intensifies the harm. Abusers can easily conceal their identities behind fake profiles, untraceable numbers, or encrypted accounts.
This invisibility emboldens them to act without fear of consequence. They can watch without being seen, attack without being identified, and vanish before accountability can catch up.
For victims, this creates a profound sense of helplessness — an unshakable feeling that the abuser could be anyone, anywhere, at any time.
Even when the perpetrator’s identity is known, proving digital abuse remains a significant challenge.
Messages can be deleted, accounts deactivated and online evidence erased in moments. Many survivors are met with disbelief or dismissal when they attempt to report, as their pain leaves no physical mark.
This failure of recognition — by systems and society alike — adds another layer of trauma.
The psychological and emotional consequences of TFGBV are devastating. Victims often live in a state of constant alertness, unable to relax or trust their surroundings.
They experience anxiety, depression, loss of self-esteem and in some cases, post-traumatic stress disorder.
The sense of being watched — even when alone — creates an invisible prison. Some survivors choose to withdraw entirely from digital spaces, deleting social media accounts, changing phone numbers, or avoiding technology altogether.
While this may offer temporary relief, it also results in digital exclusion, cutting them off from opportunities for work, education and social participation. What begins as an act of violence often ends in erasure, as victims disappear from public and online life in order to survive.
The permanence of the internet further amplifies the harm. Once an image, message, or video is uploaded, it can be copied, saved, and re-shared endlessly. Even if removed from one platform, it often resurfaces elsewhere.
This enduring nature of digital content means that the humiliation and invasion of privacy may persist indefinitely. For many survivors, this loss of control — over one’s image, story and dignity — is among the most painful aspects of TFGBV. The emotional scars may not be visible, but they are deep and enduring.
The challenge society faces in addressing TFGBV lies not only in the technology itself but in the attitudes surrounding it. Because this form of violence often leaves no bruises or broken bones, it is frequently minimised or dismissed as harmless drama or online conflict. Yet psychological violence can be as destructive as physical assault.
Responding to this growing crisis requires a comprehensive and co-ordinated effort. Laws must evolve to recognise and penalise acts of online violence with the same seriousness as physical abuse.
Law enforcement officials and the justice system need training to collect digital evidence, safeguard survivors’ privacy and understand the unique forms of harm caused by TFGBV.
Equally vital is the role of education and public awareness. Communities must learn to recognise the signs of digital abuse, challenge harmful norms that trivialise suffering, and promote online behaviour rooted in respect and consent. Victims should be supported with counselling and digital safety training.
Empowering individuals with knowledge about how to protect themselves online is one of the most effective ways to reduce vulnerability.
Ultimately, the fight against Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence is a fight for human dignity and digital safety. No one should live in fear of their own devices or feel unsafe in virtual spaces.
The internet must be reclaimed as a space for connection, creativity, and empowerment — not one of intimidation and control. As technology continues to evolve, so too must our understanding of violence.
It is no longer sufficient to address abuse solely in physical spaces while neglecting the digital frontlines where so much harm now unfolds.
The story of TFGBV serves as a stark reminder that every technological advancement carries both promise and peril. To truly reap the benefits of the digital revolution, the world must ensure that the very tools designed to connect us do not also become instruments of oppression.
Ending TFGBV will require collective action — by Governments, technology companies, civil society and individuals alike. Everyone deserves to live free from violence, whether offline or online.
Only when societies refuse to tolerate digital abuse in any form will the invisible chains of this modern cruelty begin to break.
Silence, in the face of such pervasive harm, is no longer an option. The time has come to recognise the unseen war waged across screens and networks, and to act decisively to protect the dignity, safety and humanity of all who inhabit the digital world.
