Online Sexual Harassment: Why Do People Submit Sex Photos And What Can We Learn From The Revina VT Case?

Photo illustration (Uthman Media/Unsplash)

JAKARTA - A message entered the Inbox of the Twitter celebrity, Revina VT. It contained a seductive message plus a photo of a man showing off his genitals. Revina responded to the sexual assault by terrorizing the sender of the message. Vulnerability of sexual violence on social media is a fact. So self-education is important. What can we learn from the Revina case?

What Revina experienced is included in the realm of online gender-based violence (KBGO). Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network (SAFEnet) has released a guide to knowing the KBGO mode. Referring to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the terminology of KBGO is explained, namely direct violence against someone based on sex or gender.

The Internet Governance Forum explained that KBGO covers a spectrum of behavior, including stalking, intimidation, sexual harassment, defamation, hate speech, and exploitation. Komnas Perempuan's version contains eight types of sexual violence facilitated by technology, one of which is the dissemination of intimate content without consent. This is what happened to Revina.

In addition, there are other types, such as harassment in cyberspace, hacking, threats to spread intimate photos and videos to sextortion or blackmail through intimate videos. Komnas Perempuan's latest data released in 2021 states that there were 940 direct reports that came in throughout 2020. This number increased sharply compared to 2019, where there were 241 cases.

Globally, a Plan International survey shows 58 percent of women have experienced online harassment. As many as 50 percent also admitted to facing more harassment online than offline. The survey involved 14,000 women aged 14-25 years in 22 countries, including Indonesia, the United States (US), and Brazil. In 2020, the number of cases increased sharply.

Head of the SAFEnet KBGO Sub Division, Ellen Kusuma, explained that the use of digital technology, including the internet, clearly amplifies the vulnerability and impact of sexual harassment. And all of the above data increases are closely related to the pandemic situation. "The intensity of using digital platforms is increasing, especially during the pandemic," he told VOI, Monday, August 16.

Komnas Perempuan Commissioner Maria Ulfa Anshori highlighted public stuttering in cyber interactions, especially teenagers and children. "The presence of technology also presents another dimension of sexual violence, but it is not the technology that is wrong, only we are still stuttering," he said, quoted from Tempo, Monday, August 16.

Why do people send sex pictures without consent?

A study uncovers the reasons why people, especially men, send pictures of their genitals, even without their consent. Published in the Journal of Sex Research, the study analyzed the results of a survey of 1,087 heterosexual men. The survey contains demographic information, narcissism, sexual behavior, sexism, and motivations behind sending genital images.

Half of the participants admitted to having sent pictures of their genitals without being asked. Reported by PsyPost, the men were mostly young. They also tend to be more narcissistic and sexist. Their most common motivation is the expectation of receiving sexual content in return. There is also the hope that their genital images excite the recipient.

Photo illustration (Uthman Media/Unsplash)

Only 18 percent stated that the submission of genital images was done for personal satisfaction. Some participants admitted to sending photos of their genitals to elicit negative emotions in the recipient: fear, shock or disgust. According to study author from Kwantien Polytechnic University, Cory L. Pedersen, this study refutes the perception of many women so far.

"Most people believe the main reason men send penis photos without consent is because they don't like women or are sexist, shy, or express their hostility towards women," Cory said.

"This study reveals the main reason men send penis photos is for transactions. 'I'll show you mine and you show yours'. Or it could be mate hunting. 'You've seen my dick, let's get in touch', "said Cory further.

What is important to highlight in the issue of online sexual violence?

Photo illustration (Mika Baumsteir/Unsplash)

Head of the SAFEnet KBGO Sub Division, Ellen Kusuma explained that one of the big problems with the KBGO phenomenon is that there is no strong example in the public that KBGO perpetrators can get the punishment they deserve. "What can be seen are victims who are easily criminalized or the absence of legal products that can bring justice and protection to victims of KBGO."

The next problem is the lack of digital literacy with an understanding of gender perspective. In fact, according to him, preventive measures in cases of digital attacks, including KBGO, are much more helpful than limited mitigative actions. In many complaints received by SAFEnet, many victims do not have literacy maturity in digital security.

Furthermore, Ellen Kusuma said that women are more prone to experiencing KBGO. It is influenced by patriarchy. The position of women tends to be secondary in many aspects of life. "Our society, including the norms and even the legal instruments that are created and used contain a strong patriarchal view that is detrimental to women."

"Such as when you become a victim, you often get stigma, discrimination, blame or victim blaming. (Women) are often objects rather than subjects, especially when it comes to their bodies, including their sexuality, their beauty is seen more than their achievements or works."

What to do if you experience or encounter KBGO?

When we find sexual violence on social media, the first thing we should do is report it to the digital platform where the content was uploaded. Don't interact with the upload, let alone spread it further, because then we are nothing more than the second perpetrator who adds to the burden of the victim's digital footprint.

"So if you find content containing KBGO, report it immediately. Or if you are confused about what category to report on the digital platform, you can submit a complaint to us via https://awaskbgo.id/service," said Head of the SAFEnet KBGO Sub Division, Ellen Kusuma.

If you become a victim there are four things you can do. Referring to the SAFEnet guide, the first thing is to document the things that happen to you. If possible, document it in detail, namely in chronological order that can help you process reports and investigations by the authorities: the platform where the KBGO took place or the police.

Second, monitor the situation you are in. Correct analysis of whether you might face the perpetrator yourself, even though it is not recommended. Your analysis of the situation is so important to decide what is best and safest for yourself. Third, call for help. Find a close and trusted individual, agency or institution who can provide assistance.

You can contact Komnas Perempuan which provides a complaint line at 021-3903963 and 021-80305399. Complaints can also be made via email to komnasperempuan.go.id. The final step is to report and block the perpetrator. Ellen highlights Revina's reaction in her case. Ellen regretted what Revina did.

It's bad, behavior like this. pic.twitter.com/iJ2siCGiX1

— vina (@revinavt_) August 16, 2021

"On the one hand, I regret the action taken by Revina because after all the non-consensual distribution of intimate content is a form of violence. Revina has also been a victim of the same violence against the perpetrator (Yoga). But then Revina also responded in the same way."

"This method is also often used by other actors who intimidate the victim, who can't speak like Revina. So, in this case, we don't justify Revina's response.

Even so, Ellen also understands Revina's desperation, so she chooses to terrorize the abuser. "Indonesia does not yet have a legal product that can protect women from online sexual harassment or online gender-based violence." What is often seen is a situation where the victim is always in a helpless position.

"(The victim) can face criminalization, for example with the ITE Law/Pornography Law on KBGO, in the form of spreading non-consensual intimate content that she faces instead of getting protection."

The government is required to build a fair legal system and protect victims so that no more victims are forced to retaliate against the perpetrators' actions with violence. Ellen also encouraged the government to discuss the Bill on the Elimination of Sexual Violence and to revise the ITE Law and the Pornography Law, which burdens victims of sexual violence.

*Read other information about SEXUAL HARASSMENT or read other interesting articles from Yudhistira Mahabharata.

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