Online attacks on women skyrocket: Experts issue national warning

More than half of South African women – 53% – have experienced gender-based violence in the past year, and experts warn the fastest-growing threat is now happening online.

As the country marks the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children, a United Nations campaign running annually from November 25 to December 10, financial services provider RCS is raising the alarm over a surge in digital violence targeting women and girls.

Tali Anderssen, legal and compliance executive at RCS, says new technologies such as generative AI and deepfakes (a video, image, etc, in which a person’s face, body, or voice has been digitally altered so that they appear to be someone else, typically used maliciously or to spread false information) are supercharging online harassment, impersonation scams, and image-based abuse, making digital spaces increasingly dangerous.

“Online abuse rarely stays online. It inflicts real-world harm on a victim’s mental health, career and overall sense of safety. Misused technology gives perpetrators new tools and reach. Digital platforms must become spaces of empowerment, not exploitation.”

The many faces of digital violence

Digital violence includes a wide range of technology-driven harms – some obvious, others more hidden. Common forms include:

• cyberbullying and sustained harassment
• doxxing (exposing personal information without consent)
• sextortion and online coercion
• image-based abuse and deepfake pornography
• impersonation, scams and identity theft targeting women

“While the behaviour takes place online, the consequences are deeply personal – from anxiety and reputational damage to stalking or physical harm,” said Anderssen.

Practical guidance: Five steps to digital self-defence

RCS supports the UN Women 2025 UNiTE campaign and urges South Africans to take simple steps to protect themselves:

• audit privacy settings on all accounts
• use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication
• limit location sharing and avoid posting sensitive details
• gather evidence and report abuse – never delete content
• educate family and children about boundaries and safe digital behaviour
• workplaces and tech platforms must step up

Anderssen added companies must treat digital abuse as seriously as physical or verbal harassment – with clear policies, safe reporting channels, and access to support services.

“Tech and social media platforms should strengthen content moderation, accelerate takedowns and prioritise user safety. The responsibility shouldn’t fall on victims to clean up the mess,” said Anderssen.

As the 16 Days campaign continues, RCS urges South Africans, employers and technology companies to stand together.

“Every woman deserves to feel safe wherever she chooses to exist. Digital platforms should empower, not endanger, women and girls.”

Victims of digital violence can report incidents to SAPS on 0860 010 111 or online via Cybercrime.org.za.