Policy Advocacy

We are appealing to policymakers because the issue of cyber harassment and gender-based violence is not taken seriously, even by its own victims, due to the lack of a solid legal definition and society's high threshold for digital violence. Without clear legal parameters and lower thresholds for prosecution, these harmful actions continue unchecked, leaving victims without adequate protection or recourse. It is crucial to address these gaps to ensure justice and support for those affected.

As of 2020, 41%, of online harassment targets say their most recent experience spanned multiple locations online, for example, a person being harassed on social media and text message

The gap in definitions: Academia and Legal:

  • Laws have not caught up to academic definitions 

  • For example some states believe it has to be a pattern,

  • States share the same foundation for laws but the definitions are different.

  • There is no clear explanation of how state laws interact depending on where the victim and harasser are located.  

  • The law seems to be up for interpretation depending on how serious the justice system takes the issue.

Example:

  • Nebraska: “Harass means to engage in a knowing and willful course of conduct directed at a specific person which seriously terrifies, threatens, or intimidates the person and which serves no legitimate purpose”

  • Florida: “Harass” means to engage in a course of conduct directed at a specific person which causes substantial emotional distress to that person and serves no legitimate purpose”

Prosecutions:

The data Cyber Protector found leads us to believe there are no prosecutions for cyber harassment. This shows us that cases are not being brought up for this crime and legislative change needs to occur for survivors to have justice.

Call to Action:

Overall, the key factor to changing the narrative on cyber harassment is to lower the threshold. Without lowering the threshold our nation will not react to cyber harassment, leading to a desensitized community.

Call to Action: threshold must be lowered — only way this can be done is through educating yourself

  1. Educate yourself on digital violence and cyber harassment. You can do this by clicking on any of our external links to other educational resources, find these links here.

  2. Know your state’s laws. The best way to make an impact is to stay informed on all laws in your state and new incoming ones to advocate for change if needed. You can find some of your state laws here.

  3. Join various platforms or organizations. Access sources on our community page for details to help make a difference in your community. You can also immediately follow @changemakersca on Instagram to get updates on important ballot measures in the upcoming 2024 election.

  4. Report it. Use Cyber Protectors, a self-report action center to help our organization collect critical data on cyber harassment. Report incidents here.

  5. Still don’t like it? Call your congressional representative. Find your house of representative here. Find your state’s senator here.