Online Abuse Surges in Pakistan: 3,000+ Complaints in 2024 Target Women and Minors

The surge of online abuse in Pakistan has reached alarming levels, with over 3,000 complaints filed in 2024 alone. The Digital Security Helpline Pakistan, formerly the Cyber Harassment Helpline, has seen a significant rise in cases, especially those involving women and minors. This report sheds light on the growing digital threat landscape and the urgent need for stronger protection mechanisms.

Key Findings from 2024

Cyber harassment topped the list of complaints, with 2,741 cases recorded in 2024. A significant portion of these cases involved women, who remain the most frequent targets of online abuse. Many of these complaints were related to non-consensual intimate images (NCII) and image-based abuse (IBA), with women suffering the brunt of these violations—85% of NCII cases and 81% of IBA cases.

Minors were also heavily impacted by online abuse, with a 51% increase in cases involving individuals under 18 compared to the previous year. This rise points to a growing concern for the safety of young people in digital spaces.

Digital Threats Targeting Vulnerable Groups

The report also highlighted the vulnerability of journalists, human rights defenders, and minority communities, who continue to face coordinated digital hate campaigns, doxxing, and harassment. The Digital Security Helpline’s role remains critical in providing support to these high-risk individuals, who often lack institutional protection.

Addressing online abuse in Pakistan requires stronger laws, better enforcement, and improved access to support services for survivors. The Digital Security Helpline’s 2024 report calls for clearer digital protection laws, gender-sensitive training for law enforcement, and enhanced efforts to tackle the digital gender divide. As digital threats evolve, a comprehensive approach involving both state and tech platforms is essential to ensure the safety of vulnerable communities.