New alliance Boundaries makes the case against online sexual abuse and violence

Boundaries consists of several organisations working against online sexual abuse and violence. Within this collaboration, they combine Victim Support Fund, Offlimits, the National Centre for Sexual Violence, Proud, Privacy First and Boekx Lawyers their knowledge and expertise.

Impact online sexual violence

Fund Victim Support believes it is important for the alliance to make a concerted effort against online sexual violence from now on. 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 shows that the consequences of online abuse are similar to the impact of physical sexual abuse. 70% of young people who have been victimised 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 suicides among young people. 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.

Right to bodily integrity

Traditionally, Privacy First has used a broad, human rights concept of the right to privacy. Besides the protection of personal data (including visual material), it also 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.

Setting limits to online sexual violence

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.