Like in so many countries, women in Indonesia are subject to online gender-based violence (OGBV), which has been multiplying exponentially in recent years. In 2020, Komnas Perempuan, Indonesia's National Commission on Violence Against Women, reported 940 cases of online gender-based violence, up from 281 in 2019. The South East Asia Freedom of Expression Network (SAFEnet) — a South Asian NGO — also noted a 10-fold increase from 60 cases in 2019 to 620 in 2020.
OGBV can include nonconsensual release of intimate images, online harassment or abuse, doxxing, and "cyber-homophobia," or attacking someone's sexual identity. LGBTQ+ Indonesians often seek out friends and resources online but aren't legally protected against hate crimes and discrimination and are often subject to such attacks.
Who is helping?
- Magdalene is a women-focused publication focused on feminism, diversity, and progressive ideas and providing safe spaces online.
- SAFEnet, an advocacy organisation, provides psychological counselling, promotes education and advocacy around digital rights and safety, and partners with tech platforms, feminist networks, and other civil and government agencies to prevent digital gender-based violence.
- The PurpleCode Collective provides legal, technical, social, and psychological support to girls, women, and the nonbinary community to combat online violence.
- The Legal Aid Foundation of the Indonesian Women's Association for Justice (LBK APIK) also provides legal support to women facing online gender-based violence.