Boundaries is a new alliance of organizations that jointly research, develop proposals and support victims in the fight against online sexual violence. The alliance makes visible what often remains invisible: the impact of online sexual violence and the need for firm action. After all, online sexual violence is not an exception, but a structural problem that requires joint solutions.
Boundaries consists of several organizations working against online sexual abuse and violence. Within this collaboration, Fund Victim Support, Offlimits, the National Center for Sexual Violence, Fier, Privacy First and Boekx Advocaten their knowledge and expertise.
Fund Victim Support believes it is important that from now on the alliance makes a concerted effort against online sexual violence. After all, the impact is enormous. One in two young people in the Netherlands between the ages of 12 and 25 will experience online sexual abuse or online sexual harassment. Research shows that sexual abuse at a young age is a risk factor for experiencing online abuse later.
Research also indicates that the consequences of online abuse are similar to the impact of physical sexual abuse. 70% of youth who have been victimized experience direct psychological or social consequences such as shame, fear and reduced trust in others.
"Victims often experience serious mental health problems such as depression, suicidality, self-harm, anxiety and PTSD. There have unfortunately even been cases in recent years where online sexual violence led to adolescent suicide. In addition, processing online abuse is made more difficult as images continue to circulate. We can no longer see this as incidents. This is structural, large-scale and devastating. As a society we have a duty to address this," said Fund Victim Support.
Traditionally, Privacy First has used a broad, human rights concept of the right to privacy. In addition to the protection of personal data (including images), this includes the right to bodily integrity and self-determination. In addition to Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, the right to bodily integrity is protected separately in the Netherlands by Article 11 of the Constitution. At the international level, the right to bodily integrity is among the category of human rights that enjoy the strongest protection. Online sexual violence is a gross violation of this.
From now on, Boundaries is making a concerted effort to support victims, raise awareness and promote prevention of online sexual abuse and violence. In addition, the alliance conducts research and develops proposals towards politicians and regulators. Depending on the research or project, sometimes all partners work together, and sometimes part of the alliance. In this way Boundaries contributes flexibly and powerfully to a structural and effective approach to online sexual violence. Because only together can we set limits to online sexual violence - that is what Boundaries stands for.
