Harassment faced by Syrian women and girls online is no longer limited to sexually suggestive messages or unwanted comments. In some cases, it escalates into threats to publish private photos or personal information, or attempts to blackmail victims into paying money or complying with demands against their will.
The effects of these experiences extend beyond the digital world, potentially undermining women’s sense of safety and their confidence in themselves and others. They may also lead to isolation or reluctance to seek help, particularly when women fear that the incident could expose them to blame or public shaming within their social circles.
Against this backdrop, understanding what steps women can take when facing online harassment or blackmail, how to preserve evidence, and how to seek legal and psychological support becomes essential, without holding victims responsible for the abuse they have experienced.
From Messages to Threats and Blackmail
Lawyer Manar Mounes defines online harassment as behavior carried out over the internet that causes distress or offense to a targeted person who does not wish to communicate with the other party. She explained that harassment is not necessarily limited to sexually suggestive language but may include offensive or disturbing actions or messages, depending on their nature and context.
Speaking to Enab Baladi, Mounes said that neither the Syrian Penal Code nor the Cybercrime Law provides a separate, clear definition of online harassment as a legal term. However, this does not mean that acts committed online are exempt from legal accountability, as their legal classification depends on the nature of the conduct, the circumstances, and the available evidence.
Harassment or blackmail does not require the relationship between the two parties to have begun through coercion. Such practices can occur even within personal relationships initially based on consent and trust.
Likewise, a woman’s decision to share private photos or information voluntarily “does not give the other party the right to use them later to threaten or pressure her,” according to the lawyer.
Mounes added that a woman may have shared such information within a relationship in which she felt safe, whether with a friend, fiancé, husband, romantic partner, or family member. However, the nature of the previous relationship does not justify using her private information against her will.
What Should Women Do When Facing Threats or Blackmail?
Mounes advises women not to comply with the demands of someone threatening them, whether the person is asking for money, additional photos, or any action they do not wish to take. She also stresses the importance of preserving evidence before blocking the account or taking other steps.
Evidence includes screenshots of conversations that clearly show the account name or phone number. The sequence of messages should be preserved without removing portions of the conversation. Women should also copy the link to the social media account or page through which the harassment or threats occurred.
Preserving evidence is equally important when the perpetrator’s identity is unknown, as it can support subsequent legal consultations and complaints to the relevant authorities.
The necessary steps go beyond collecting evidence. Mounes emphasizes the importance of reaching out to someone trustworthy and safe so that victims do not face threats alone, particularly as fear and psychological pressure may lead them to comply with a blackmailer’s demands.
After preserving evidence and seeking support, women can consult a lawyer to understand their available options and the appropriate procedures based on the circumstances of the incident.
Anonymous Accounts: Can Their Owners Be Identified?
Not knowing the identity of someone sending threats does not necessarily mean they cannot be pursued legally. Victims can file complaints and request the technical investigations needed to establish the person’s identity.
As Mounes explained to Enab Baladi, the relevant authorities collect information and digital evidence, and the case is referred to the local cybercrime unit to identify the user based on data available from telecommunications and internet service providers.
The lawyer also warns against seeking assistance from individuals who claim they can identify blackmailers through unofficial hacking methods, as doing so may expose victims to additional risks, including financial extortion or the misuse of their personal information.
Mounes stresses that women should not wait for threats to escalate or for private content to be published before seeking legal assistance. Early consultation can help them understand their options and respond appropriately to the circumstances.
Why Are Women Reluctant to Report?
Reluctance to seek help is not always driven by fear of the person making the threats. It may also stem from concerns about how others will react. Some women fear that the incident will become public, particularly if they previously had a relationship with the blackmailer or voluntarily shared private photos or information.
In communities influenced by customs, traditions, and patriarchal authority, women may fear being blamed or having their accounts questioned rather than receiving support. They may also be held responsible for what happened because of the nature of their relationship with the other person.
However, Mounes emphasizes that seeking legal advice is not a “scandal” but a step toward protecting privacy and rights.
Yara, a young woman living in Damascus, told Enab Baladi about an incident she experienced approximately a year ago. She received threats through a social media platform from a young man she did not know and pursued the case through legal channels. According to her account, the case ended with the perpetrator receiving a fine and a two-month prison sentence.
“The punishment may not feel sufficient, but it could serve as a deterrent to prevent him from doing this again to me or anyone else,” she said.
Yara’s experience illustrates that legal action is possible in cases involving online threats, although the procedures may require time and effort.
In this context, Mounes noted that some cases may take longer, particularly when the suspect is outside Syria. This can add procedural requirements to the litigation process, but it does not necessarily make legal prosecution impossible.
Psychological Effects: Fear That Extends into Daily Life
The effects of online harassment are not limited to the moment a woman receives a message or threat. They may persist even after communication ends, affecting her sense of safety and everyday relationships.
Wajde Almhethawe, a clinical psychologist, told Enab Baladi that the psychological effects of online harassment can be comparable in severity to some of those associated with physical harassment. He explained that these effects range from anxiety, fear, embarrassment, and a sense of violated privacy to a loss of confidence in oneself and others.
He added that some women may experience isolation, sleep disturbances, or symptoms associated with psychological trauma. Individuals with a pre-existing predisposition may also develop paranoid symptoms, as he described them.
Almhethawe explained that feeling believed and knowing they are not alone are important parts of women’s recovery, particularly when they fear the reactions of their families or communities.
This advice aligns with Mounes’s emphasis on the importance of having a safe, trusted person to turn to before making decisions under the pressure of threats or fear.
In her concluding remarks, Mounes addressed women and girls who have experienced online harassment or blackmail, emphasizing that they are not responsible for the exploitation of their privacy or the threats directed against them. She urged them not to face threats alone, to preserve evidence, seek legal advice early, and rely on trusted individuals to help manage the psychological pressure associated with these experiences.
Almhethawe, meanwhile, stressed the importance of avoiding self-blame, expressing emotions, and seeking support when needed. He emphasized that listening, believing victims, and providing psychological safety are essential steps in helping women overcome such experiences.