Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) Information and Services

INTRODUCTION TO PUBERTY

Puberty is the time when you physically become an adult. During puberty, your body goes through lots of changes both physically and emotionally.  Puberty doesn’t happen all at once; different people experience different changes, and it comes in different stages. You might have some signs of puberty at an early age, while other changes show up years later. Everyone’s body is unique, so puberty is different for each person. Everyone goes through puberty at their own pace. NO RUSH!!!!

 

	GIRLS	BOYS
PHYSICAL	Your breast starts to grow bigger	Hair grows under your armpit, around your penis, and sometimes on your chest and face
	Hairs grow under your armpit and on your vagina	Your shoulders become broader and wider
	You gain more weight and height	Your voice deepens
	Some girls begin to sweat a lot	You may increase in size, weight and height.
	Menstruation (period) starts (differs from every girl	Your penis and testicles increase
	You may begin to have oily face and develop pimples	You may begin to have oily face and develop pimples
		You start having wet dreams at night
EMOTIONAL	Attracted to the opposite sex	Attracted to the opposite sex
	Easily gets angry	Easily gets angry
	Mood swings	Mood swings
	Shyness	Shyness
PSYCHOLOGICAL/SOCIAL	Making Friends and wanting to move out	Making Friends and wanting to move out
	Wants to be recognized as adults/ Not taking all instructions	Wants to be recognized as adults/ Not taking all instructions
	Ability to differentiate between good and bad	Ability to differentiate between good and bad
	Respects peers and views their decisions	Respects peers and views their decisions
	Form cliques and move with them	Form cliques and move with them
	Becomes curios and imaginative	Becomes curios and imaginative
	Desire for sex sets in	Desire for sex sets in
	Questions social norms and rules	Questions social norms and rules
	Desires independence and privacy	Desires independence and privacy

As an adolescent have you experienced any of the changes above? How did you deal with them? Who did you tell? Always know that people are different and so even if they have the same symptoms as they grow, their reactions may be different. That’s the uniqueness of our bodies. But the best thing is to speak to someone when you are confused or not sure of what’s happening. This trusted person can be;

• Your Parents ‘
• Siblings
• Trusted older person.
• Health care provider

Do you remember when we spoke about what happens to adolescent girls when they get to puberty? One of the changes adolescent girls’ experiences is the onset of menstruation or period.

Do you know a girl’s first menstrual flow is called MENARCHE? OK. Let’s discuss menstruation and learn more about it.

Menstruation which can also be called period, is the monthly flow of blood and tissue from the uterus which comes out through the vagina. The menstrual cycle is the body’s way of preparing for pregnancy every month. The menstrual cycle is controlled by hormones like estrogen and progesterone. Every female has two ovaries, each of which holds a bunch of ovum (eggs). The eggs are super tiny, too small to see with the naked eye. When the eggs are fully developed and released, they travel through the fallopian tubes towards the pre­ pared lining of the uterus, ready for fertilization, and if the fertilized egg does not occur, the lining breaks down and bleeds. Then the process starts again. When pregnancy occurs, Menstruation stops for pregnancy to continue.

What is a menstrual cycle?

A menstrual cycle is the interval between the first and the next menstrual period. On average, the length of the menstrual cycle is 28 days, but generally this varies from girl to girl. Regular cycles that are longer or shorter than this, from 21-35 days, are normal. It is very important for a girl to track her cycle through the calendar in order to know the fertile and non-fertile days and how she can protect herself from unwanted pregnancy. Also visit the health facility or speak to a health care provider if you have a longer or shorter cycle and are worried about it.

What is menstrual hygiene?

Menstrual Hygiene refers to the act of keeping oneself clean and neat during their period. It involves all the things you do and what materials you need to keep hygiene and prevent infections. You know you are practicing good menstrual hygiene when you understand how to manage it without discomfort and fear; have access to clean sanitary materials to collect menstrual blood; access to privacy to change; access to soap and water for washing the body as required and access to safe and convenient facilities to dispose of used menstrual materials. Menstrual hygiene materials or products can be clean cotton fabric, sanitary pad, menstrual cups etc. It is important to look good and healthy even during our menstrual period. That is why maintaining good MENSTRUAL HYGIENE is important.

MAINTAINING PROPER MENSTRUAL HYGIENE

• Girls should bathe regularly during the period and wash the vagina area.
• Avoid cleaning the vagina with lime or any chemicals to make it nice.
• It is important to prevent infections and avoid bad body odour.
• Change sanitary pads regularly;
• Keep sanitary pads sterile (not exposed) and keep locally improvised pads dry and clean. A moist (wet) pad is a good condition for germs to multiply and grow.
• Do not allow a heavily soaked pad to dry on you.
• Soiled sanitary pads should be burnt, buried or disposed of in the latrine (soiled pads should not be disposed of in a flushing toilet).

As a young person you must always keep yourself clean and neat. It helps you feel good and improve your self-esteem. It prevents many infectious diseases. It is therefore important to devote time, energy, and resources to keeping the body clean.

Hygiene and Personal Hygiene – Facts Corner

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hygiene refers to conditions and practices that help to maintain health and prevent the spread of diseases.

Personal hygiene therefore refers to maintaining the body’s cleanliness. Personal hygiene requires the cleaning of all parts of the body (face, hair, body, legs, and hands). In keeping proper personal hygiene, you must be intentional about it and devote time to it. The different parts of our bodies all require different hygiene care practices, some components of personal hygiene include;

• Body hygiene (skincare)
• Oral hygiene (oral care)
• Handwashing (hand care)
• Fingernail and toenail hygiene (nail care)
• Ear hygiene.
• Hair hygiene (haircare)
• Foot hygiene (foot care)
• Genital hygiene

These are some basic things you can do to maintain good personal hygiene as an adolescent or young person.

• Bath: Cleaning your body washes away dead skin cells and dirt and helps fight the spread of disease. Remember to use your personal sponge and towels all the time. Once in a while you can use lime under your armpit.
• Shaving under your armpit and vagina areas.
• Washing and trimming your hair to look presentable.
• Brush Your Teeth Twice a Day: Make sure you are brushing your teeth twice a day, once in the morning and once at night, to maintain good oral hygiene along with regular dental checkups.
• Take Care of Your Nails: Cleaning and trimming your nails will help prevent your nails picking germs.
• Wear Clean Clothes: After you wear clothes, wash them with a detergent and dry them immediately upon rinsing. Dirty clothes can harbor bacteria that could lead to body odor or even skin irritations.
• Cover Your Mouth When Your Cough or Sneeze: This is extremely important to avoid spreading germs to people around you.
• Washing your genital area regularly – Adolescent Girls should not douche (washing the vagina area with chemicals)

Promise to maintain and keep good personal hygiene as an adolescent or young person, and don’t forget to share with your friends.

Have you heard about the ABC not contracting HIV? What did the A stand for? ABSTINENCE. You are correct.

Abstinence refers to the practice of restraining oneself from indulging in something, typically drugs or sexual activity. Sexual Abstinence is the practice of choosing not to engage in sexual activities or the decision not to have any kind of sex (oral and vaginal). It is the first choice and only method which helps in preventing pregnancy and lowering the risk of STls/HIV infection among adolescents and young people, its efficiency is 100%. Abstinence among young people is normal, common, and acceptable. It requires high motivation, self-control, negotiation skills, and partner co-operation. There are two categories of young people who choose to abstain.

There are many myths surrounding abstinence and so some people are tempted to give in to sex. Here are some myths about abstinence. REMEMBER, none of the myths are true.

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It is important to keep chaste. People choose abstinence to;

• Prevent pregnancy.
• Prevent STDs/STls.
• Wait until they’re ready for a sexual relationship.
• Wait to find the ”right” partner.
• Focus on school, career, or extracurricular activities.
• Support personal, moral, or religious beliefs and values.
• Follow medical advice during an illness or infection.

STIs – Sexually Transmitted Infections – Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections caused by microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites). Very often, these bacteria can be found in the sexual organs of some people. They are spread during sexual intercourse with someone who is infected.

Some viral infections, such as genital herpes or genital warts, are endemic in the general population.

• HIV/AIDS
• Gonococcal disease (gonorrhoea)
• Syphilis
• Genital herpes
• Chlamydia
• Hepatitis B

How do you contract sexually transmitted Infections? STIs can be contracted through:

• Unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person.
• Blood transfusions without proper screening.
• Use of infected syringes
• Mother-to-child transmission (during pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding)
• Use of unsterilized sharp objects

STIs can be treated if detected early. It is important to speak to a doctor or pharmacist when you experience any of these symptoms.  How can you prevent sexually transmitted diseases?

• Practice abstinence. The best option as an adolescent
• Do not use shared unsterilized sharp objects from unknown places.
• Use condoms to practice safer sex.
• Ensure your partner get tested regularly.

Did you know that about nearly 6,000 young people (aged 15-24) in Ghana live with HIV?

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) is a virus that weakens the human immune system and makes it difficult for it to fight other infections. When the virus targets and infiltrates the immune cells, it increases the risk and impact of other infections and diseases. AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome) is a chronic, life-threatening condition caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). It is the advanced stage of HIV infection. Currently, there is no cure for HIV. But an infected person can take some medications called Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART). When a person living with HIV takes this medication, they can live long and healthy lives. Like other STIs, HIV spreads from person to person through the exchange of infected body fluids especially blood. As young people, certain behaviors and conditions have put us at a higher risk of getting infected. These include;

• Sharing contaminated needles and syringes with infected people.
• Transmission of HIV during pregnancy or at birth, when the baby is exposed to infected blood or during breastfeeding. This is termed Mother to Child Transmission.
• Engaging in unprotected vaginal or anal sex with an infected person.
• Experiencing accidental needle stick injuries, among healthcare providers.
• Receiving unsafe blood transfusion, unsafe injection and transplant, and medical procedures that involve unsterile cutting or piercing. (World Health Organization, 2016)

When a person has HIV, you will not see it on their skin. They continuously get sick and experience some of these symptoms.

• Fever
• Sore throat
• Fatigue
• Enlarged glands.
• Weight loss
• Diarrhea, which is usually persistent or chronic.
• Dry cough

REMEMBER….

HIV/AIDS is a sexually transmitted infection and cannot be transmitted through sweat, touch, and tears. Therefore, you cannot get infected by doing the following with an infected person;

• Sharing eating utensils
• Using a toilet seat and doorknob or handle
• Breathing the same air with an infected person
• Hugging or shaking hands

HIV can be prevented. Among adolescents and young people, you need to make informed decisions and choices that will not let you engage in good behaviors. Some of the decisions you can take include;

• Abstinence from sexual intercourse.
• Being faithful to one’s partner.
• Effective and consistent use of either the male or female condom.
• A pregnant woman who is HIV positive should seek medical attention right away to prevent mother to child transmission.

STOP STIGMA!!!!

Stigma and discrimination are some of the issues that prevent persons with HIV from accessing services. Due to stigma and discrimination, some HIV infected people are scared to seek assistance from their significant others or seek medical care. Many people living with HIV have had their families’ cut ties with them, they stopped school, and some lost their jobs. If you know anyone living with HIV or AIDS, be kind to them. Encourage them to be happy and take their medications. They can also share their stories to motivate others and also learn from it.

What is adolescent Pregnancy?

Adolescent pregnancy or teenage pregnancy is a term used to describe pregnancies that occur in girls younger than nineteen years. Many teenage pregnancies are not planned or wanted. It means the girls are not ready. Very often, the girl who is pregnant drops out of school and she never goes back. Teenage pregnancy and motherhood can have several negative consequences for adolescent girls and young women.

Some causes of adolescent pregnancy include:

• Misinformation from friends or family
• Poverty
• Broken homes which result in lack of stability and discipline
• Peer Pressure
• Unwillingness to use contraceptives.
• Sexual exploitation of girls by older men.
• Rape
• Early marriage

Effects of adolescent pregnancy

• Babies born may be underweight and premature.
• High incidence of pregnancy complications including pre-eclampsia and anemia.
• Prolonged labour resulting from the size of the pelvic girdle often leads to cesarean section.
• Obstetric fistula
• Maternal death
• School dropout
• Poverty and lack of stability can perpetuate a vicious cycle where children of teen- age parents can also become adolescent parents.

Being an adolescent mother comes with many responsibilities and emotions. Sometimes your parents will disown you because they are disappointed in what they have done. For many of the girls they can no longer go to school and achieve their dreams. But that is not the end, you can go back to school.

What are Contraceptives?

Contraceptives are methods, techniques, medicines, and other devices that are used to prevent pregnancy. When you use contraceptives, you can have safer sex and not worry about getting pregnant. Some contraceptives like the condom protect you from both pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. There are various methods of contraception available to prevent pregnancy and STI’s. Abstinence is the most effective method. But as a sexually active adolescent or young person it is important that a service provider counsels you to make an informed decision concerning your sexual health.

There are different contraceptives for both male and female. The best thing as a young person is to visit a health facility and speak to the Youth Friendly Official at the Adolescent Health Corner. They will answer all your questions and be ready to assist you if you want any method.  Remember, it is not good to follow what friends say when it comes to using contraceptives.

Family Planning

Family Planning is the practice of controlling the number of children one has and the intervals between their births, particularly through contraception. There are several benefits of Family Planning, which include:

• Family Planning helps to avoid unintended births.
• It helps people to regulate the intervals between pregnancies/childbirths.
• It helps people control the time at which births occur concerning the ages of parents.
• Family Planning allows people to determine the number of children to give birth to.

Understanding SGBV

What would you do if someone hit you without reason? What about discrimination? Have you ever felt left out because of your color, sex or age?  Experiencing pain or neglect is never a nice feeling? As adolescents and young people, we need to enjoy our childhood and have a smooth transition into adulthood. Abuse, violence or discrimination in any form should not be perpetuated against children. Girls and women are mostly vulnerable to violence perpetrated by people they know, such as friends, family, teachers etc.

Gender

What is Gender? – Gender refers to the roles, behaviors, activities, and attributes that a given society at a given time considers appropriate for men and women, girls and boys. This means that if a society says a woman should cook, it is gender.

Gender is different from sex, which is the biological characteristics that define males and females at birth. When you are born, your sex is determined and that is what makes you either a boy or a girl. That is not your gender, it is your sex.  Gender, like society and culture, evolves with time and varies according to the socio-cultural context. As a result, the term gender is used instead of sex to emphasize that many of the differences between women, men, girls, and boys are not natural facts, but rather the result of a changing socio-cultural context.

 

In short,

• Gender refers to the social differences between men and women
• Gender is a learned and enforced behavior
• Gender varies with culture
• Gender changes over time.

Sex therefore refers to the biological characteristics that define males and female. This is determined at birth.

Differences between Sex and Gender

 

Sex	Gender
Biologically defined (external, internal sex organs and secondary sexual development at puberty)	Socially constructed characteristics (i.e., things that are normally viewed as natural or normal in society).
Determined (seen) at birth.	Differs between and within cultures
Does not change over (remains the same throughout life, with few exceptions (surgical intervention)	Can Change over time. Gender roles are learned and differ according to age and generation Because they are learnt, they can change over time
Does not differ across cultures and history. Only women give birth and can breastfeed. This has been the case, throughout ages and in all cultures	Differs between and within cultures. e.g: Professions perceived to be only for ‘men’ or ‘women’. Receptionist, security officer

 

What is Gender Based Violence?

Gender-based violence (GBV) is an umbrella term for harmful acts of abuse perpetrated against a person’s will and rooted in a system of unequal power between women and men.

 

The UN defines violence against women as, ‘any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.

 

The terms Sexual and “gender-based violence” (SGBV) and “violence against women and girls” (VAWG) are often used, this is because girls and women are disproportionately affected. This is not to say boys or young men are not abused. They are, but the numbers always show the girls are more. Some of the forms of violence experienced by adolescents (particularly by adolescent girls) include physical, sexual violence, emotional violence, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment or exploitation.

 

Violence

By definition, violence is “the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against oneself, another person, or against a group or community, which either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment, or deprivation.” People who are subjected to violence are deprived of their unalienable human rights. Saying things like “the person deserved it” or “violence is acceptable” is something that we should never do. Most victims of domestic/ SGBV also know their offenders. Convincing someone to do something against their will is a form of force.

Force- might be physical, emotional, social, or economic in nature. It may also involve coercion or pressure. Force also includes intimidation, threats, persecution, or other forms of psychological or social pressure. The target of such violence is compelled to behave as expected or to do what is being requested, for fear of real and harmful consequences.

 

In the SGBV-context, a person who has lived through an incident of gender-based violence/violence against children is called a survivor. It is used to highlight the strength, resilience, and capacity for healing in individuals including children who have experienced SGBV.

SGBV does not discriminate, and anyone, regardless of gender, age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, or other factors, can be affected. It’s important to recognize the wide range of people who may experience SGBV.

Remember anyone can suffer abuse; Women, Men and Children or even you.

 

Forms of GBV

 

• Physical violence: Any act which causes physical harm as a result of unlawful physical force. This can take the form of hitting, slapping, punching, or any form of physical assault.

• Sexual violence: Any sexual act performed on an individual without their consent. Sexual violence can take the form of rape, sexual assault, harassment, and any unwanted sexual advances.

• Emotional and Psychological violence: Any act which causes emotional or psychological harm to an individual. Psychological violence can take the form of, for example, coercion, defamation, verbal insult or harassment.

• Economic violence: Any act or behaviour which causes economic harm to an individual. This may involve withholding financial resources, preventing access to employment, or restricting financial decision-making.

• Child Marriage: Forcing or arranging marriages involving children, often resulting in early and non-consensual sexual relations. Globally, one in every five girls is formally married or in an informal union, before reaching age 18.

• Human Trafficking: Exploiting individuals through force, coercion, or deception for various purposes, including sexual exploitation, forced labor, or servitude. It involves the criminal exploitation of vulnerable people for the sole purpose of economic gain.

• Female Genital Mutilation (FGM): The partial or total removal of external female genitalia or other injury to female genital organs for non-medical reasons. It is a harmful traditional practice that can lead to severe physical and psychological consequences. It is estimated that 3 million girls are at risk of undergoing female genital mutilation every year.

• Sexual Harassment: Unwanted and unwelcome sexual advances, comments, or behaviors that create a hostile or intimidating environment.

 

• Stalking: Repeated and unwanted attention, contact, or harassment that instills fear and discomfort in the victim.

• Forced Sterilization: Forcing an individual to undergo sterilization without their informed and voluntary consent, often targeting marginalized or vulnerable populations.
• Discrimination and Marginalization: Systematic discrimination based on gender, which can lead to the marginalization and exclusion of individuals from social, economic, and political opportunities.

• Cyber-Harassment and Online Abuse: Harassment, threats, or stalking that occurs through digital platforms, including social media, emails, or other online communication channels.

• Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation: Forcing or coercing individuals into engaging in commercial sex acts against their will, often involving human trafficking networks.

 

Consequences of SGBV

 

Physical Consequences:

1. Injuries and Trauma: Physical injuries ranging from bruises, cuts, and fractures to more severe injuries. Survivors may also experience trauma-related symptoms such as panic attacks and nightmares.
2. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and HIV: Forced sexual contact between unprotected individuals can result in the spread of STIs, including HIV.
3. Reproductive Health Issues: Sexual violence can lead to unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and harm to reproductive organs.
4. Chronic Health Conditions: Long-term health issues such as chronic pain, gastrointestinal problems, and cardiovascular conditions can be worsened by the stress and trauma caused by SGBV.

 

Mental and Emotional Consequences:

1. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Survivors may develop PTSD, which is distinguished by symptoms such as emotional detachment, nightmares, flashbacks, and hyperarousal.
2. Depression and Anxiety: Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, anxiety, and fear are common mental health consequences of SGBV.
3. Suicidal Thoughts and Self-Harm: The psychological impact of SGBV can result in one considering suicide, engaging in hazardous activities, or self-harm.
4. Substance Abuse: Survivors may use drugs or alcohol to dull the anguish of their experiences.

 

Social Consequences:

1. Isolation and Stigmatization: Survivors may face social isolation and stigma, often leading to a reluctance to disclose their experiences.
2. Impact on Relationships: SGBV has the potential to erode trust in intimate partners, acquaintances, and family members, among others, and strain relationships.
3. Educational and Economic Impact: The physical and mental health repercussions of SGBV may impede survivors’ long-term prospects by causing disruptions in employment and education.
4. Reproductive Choices: Survivors may encounter obstacles when it comes to establishing healthy relationships and making decisions regarding reproduction.

 

Societal Consequences:

1. Perpetuation of Gender Inequality: SGBV reinforces and perpetuates gender inequality, contributing to power imbalances between genders.
2. Cycles of Violence: Victims of SGBV may face an increased likelihood of engaging in abusive relationships or committing further acts of violence, thereby contributing to the perpetuation of cycles of violence.
3. Underreporting and Impunity: Perpetrators may evade legal consequences due to fear, humiliation, and societal norms that contribute to the underreporting of SGBV cases.

     Prevention of SGBV

We all have a role to play in preventing SGBV. As adolescents we need to be gamechangers inn our schools and communities and speak out. When we speak out, we help the survivor. These are some of the things you can do.

• Education and Awareness – Educate people about the negative effects of SGBV.
• Report any case of SGBV or abuse in your area. Do not justify, blame yourself or people for being the cause of the abuse.
• Empowerment Programs; Do this to empower other adolescents in your schools or community.
• Men and Boys as Allies
• Encourage positive masculinity in which consent, respect, and empathy are highly regarded.

What is consent?

Consent is an agreement to engage in an activity; it occurs when you ask, or give permission to do something. People use consent in their daily life, including giving and asking for consent for food or drink, physical touch, to take a picture, or to participate in an activity. In the context of sexual activities, consent refers to giving voluntary permission to engage in a sexual activity. Consent is important to us as adolescents because it helps us to express our thoughts on a given situation or decision. Meaning you are able to say a yes or no to a request. People get consent when they ask for something. Consent is never taken or gotten by force.

Consent:

• Is a freely given enthusiastic yes.
• Can be taken away at any time.

There is no consent when:

• You are asked repeatedly until you give someone the answer they want to hear.
• Someone uses their power or authority to manipulate your answer.
• When you are intoxicated or incapacitated.

 

In preventing sexual abuse against adolescents, the concept of consent is very important. If she says NO, it means NO. Never believe it when they tell you NO means YES. IT’S A TRAP RUN!

Using technology, including the internet has made life easier for everyone. We are able to do so many things within a short period and be in touch with many people at the same time too. As adolescents and young people, we are happy when we can communicate and update our friends on the things we do. Being online and engaging with others comes with risks and thus it is important to take note of these risks and protect ourselves. Because you cannot see who is behind some of the things that happen online, some people hide and take advantage of others including children.

Let’s define some terminologies.

Online safety is trying to be safe on the internet, having the knowledge of maximizing the user’s personal safety and minimizing security risks to private information and property associated with using the internet and self-protection from computer crime in general.

Cyber safety is the safe and responsible use of information and communication technology (ICT). It is about keeping information safe and secure and about being responsible with that information, being respectful of other people online, and using good ‘netiquette’ (internet etiquette).

Cyberbullying is bullying with the use of digital technologies, devices or spaces. It takes place on social media, messaging platforms, gaming platforms and mobile phones. Examples include spreading lies about or posting embarrassing photos or videos (including pornographic materials) of someone on social media, sending hurtful, abusive or threatening messages, images or videos via messaging platforms, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can also include sharing personal or private information about someone else (such as nude pictures) causing embarrassment or humiliation. Cyberbullying takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullies can be classmates, online acquaintances, and even anonymous users, but most often they do know their victims.

Cyberviolence is any online behavior that leads to harm against the psychological, emotional, financial, and/or physical state of an individual or group. Although cyberviolence occurs online it can begin offline and/ or have serious offline consequences. Examples of cyberviolence include (but are not limited to) malicious text messages or emails, rumors sent by email or posted on social networking sites, sharing of another’s intimate pictures/videos/texts without consent, online bullying, harassment, cyberstalking, blackmail.  Online extremism, online hate speech and online radicalization are also forms of cyberviolence. Cyberviolence is an online problem that results in offline consequences. It is important to remember that behind the screen there are real people with real lives, and the harm caused by cyberviolence is often mostly psychological and emotional.

Remember, cyberbullying and cyberviolence is unlawful and criminal behavior.

The most common places where cyberbullying and cyberviolence occur are:

• Social Media, such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok
• Text messaging and messaging apps on mobile or tablet devices
• Instant messaging, direct messaging, and online chatting over the internet
• Online forums, chat rooms, and message boards, such as Reddit
• Email
• Online gaming communities

 This means that the content sent to you, or posted or shared about you, must be likely to harm your physical or mental health because it is seriously threatening (for example, when someone says they are going to harm you, or tells others to harm you) or intimidating (for example, when you stop doing something because someone makes you feel scared or bad about it) or harassing (for example, when someone keeps sending messages to you or keeps sharing posts or comments about you even though you don’t want them to) or humiliating (for example, when someone teases or embarrasses you very badly).

How can I stay safe online?

Online safety refers to the practice of safeguarding one’s personal information, privacy, and well-being while using the internet. It involves being aware of potential risks and adopting proactive measures to mitigate them.

Importance of Online Safety

• Protects personal information from unauthorized access.
• It prevents cyber threats, cyberviolence, cyberbullying, and online harassment.
• Promotes a culture of respect and responsibility in digital interactions.

To Ensure Online Safety:

• Regularly update passwords and use strong, unique passwords for each online account.
• Avoid clicking on suspicious links or responding to unsolicited emails requesting personal information.
• Log out of accounts when no longer in use.
• Do not share your passwords.
• Use your privacy settings on social media accounts to adjust what you would like to share and with who (e.g., only friends).
• Use secure and encrypted Wi-Fi connections to protect against unauthorized access.