Understanding Technology-Facilitated Violence
SITUATION:
Ruchi and Tarush have been dating for six months but Ruchi wants to end the relationship. She tells Tarush that they should break up, but he threatens to share her intimate photos if she ends the relationship. Ruchi is scared so she temporarily remains in the relationship. After a few days, she decides to go through with the break up. In response, Tarush sends intimate photos of her to all his friends which quickly spreads throughout the community.
Ruchi is extremely embarrassed and does not know what to do next. How can we support Ruchi?
RESPONDING TO RUCHI:
Many victim-survivors request assistance with removing content online. The following specialized removal tools can allow for streamlined support.
StopNCII.org: Free reputable tool supported by Cyber Civil Rights Initiative (CCRI) and operated by the Revenge Porn Helpline. It allows you to create a “hash” (a unique digital fingerprint) of your intimate images or videos. Participating companies (including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, Bumble, and Snapchat) can use this hash to detect and remove the images without ever seeing the images themselves. This can also be done pre-emptively to prevent sharing.
Meri Trustline via RATI Foundation: Provides content takedown support, counselling, and legal guidance for women, children, and people from marginalized identities. They can be contacted via phone, text, or WhatsApp (+91 63631 76363) from Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm.
If they are below the age of 18 or the pictures are from when they were a minor:
Takeitdown NCMEC: Similar to StopNCII.org, this service helps remove online nude, partially nude, or sexually explicit photos and videos that were taken before you were 18.
Assisting with Content Removal:
The immediate instinct for many survivors is to delete their accounts. Encourage them to collect digital evidence first. This is important, even if they do not want to formally report this to law enforcement.
For more information on this process, complete the lesson on digital evidence collection.
Ruchi experienced what is considered a crime by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act (IT Act). These crimes can be reported to any police station but your local Cyber Cell is best equipped to support these types of crime.
Tarush committed the following crimes:
Section 351 of BNS, 2023 (Criminal Intimidation): Threatening to harm Ruchi’s reputation in an effort to force her to remain in a relationship.
Section 294 of BNS, 2023 (Voyeurism): Distribution of obscene materials including sexually explicit photos to others.
Section 67A of IT Act, 2000 (Obscenity): Publishing obscene material through electronic mediums.
Section 66E of IT Act, 2000 (Privacy Violation): Publishing explicit photos of Ruchi without her consent.
Reporting Tarush
UNDER SECTION 154 OF THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CODE (CrPC) - NO POLICE STATION CAN DENY YOUR RIGHT TO REGISTER A COMPLAINT.
You can report cyber crimes in India immediately by calling the national helpline 1930 or filling a report on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Crimes can be registered anonymously using a catered portal which pertains to cyber crimes against women and children.
Evidence to support your case can include the following:
Copy of Email
URL of Website
Chat Transcripts
Images or Video