Cyberviolence Needs Assessment for Prince Edward Island

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Susie, a university student, started experiencing online harassment from her ex-boyfriend shortly after she ended the relationship. He began stalking her online, following her every move. Susie started receiving messages from him, frequently, through various social media platforms. She couldn’t get away from him—she would block him, but he would create false accounts and start following her again. Susie even deleted her accounts and opened new ones; however, he always managed to find her again. The stalking and messages continued. Eventually, Susie stopped participating on social media altogether. She removed herself from cyberspace because she felt unsafe.

Jane, a junior high school student, has been bullied both in person and online her entire public school life. She receives hate messages on a regular basis through various social media platforms and in person. She is sexually harassed online, and is called a ‘whore’ and a ‘slut.’ She is frequently told that nobody likes her. Some messages threaten her, physically, and she has been attacked on school property. Once, perpetrators followed her home, swarmed her, and physically beat her up in her home, in front of her mother.

CONNECT PEI

RISKS OF A DIGITAL AGE We’ve heard it over and over: “we live in a digital age.” A time when Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) dominates the way in which we connect, engage, and communicate with others. In recent years, we have seen incredible advances in ICTs, and many of us have become highly dependent on these technologies. While technology has advanced our society in many ways, it has also exposed us to new risks and threats, especially when it comes to personal security. Instances of identity theft, cyber bullying, cyber stalking, and other forms of online harassment are on the rise. Perpetrators are able to hide behind the “safety” of a computer screen to attack others’ selfesteem (some even do so anonymously). And who is most at risk of becoming a victim of a cyber crime? Our youth. A population that is often already vulnerable in terms of self-esteem, coping skills, and confidence levels. Youth are online for huge chunks of the day. Many use social media and smart phone applications as their main communication method. Rather than speaking on the phone, most youth prefer to text or chat via instant messaging apps. Facebook. Twitter. Instagram. Snapchat. KIK Messenger. WhatsApp. Youth are spending a lot of time on these (and other) social media networking sites. And while these sites were not originally developed with malicious or harmful intent in mind, many youth find themselves experiencing acts of cyber violence through them.

Cyberviolence & Cyber Sexual Violence Especially concerning is the increased rates of sexual acts of violence occurring online. Technology has created a new form of victimization that particularly affects girls and women. Internet use has expanded the scope, nature, and impact of sexual violence, where online threats can become real acts of physical and sexual violence or new online acts of violence are created. Using a variety of tactics, perpetrators can damage a victim’s feelings, self-esteem, reputation, and mental health.

While cy ber v io len ce tends to be a gender-neutral term, cy ber sexu a l

v io len ce primarily targets girls and women and is tied to the larger social problems of sexism and misogyny.

2 | 10

CYBERVIOLENCE NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Over the past decade, the team at the East Prince Women’s Information Centre (EPWIC) has seen an increase in violent acts occurring online, especially toward young women. This timespan coincides with the increased use of social media sites; technology, then, has become a weapon to use to harass, bully, and attack. In Prince Edward Island (PEI), technology is used against women and girls to harm, humiliate, and abuse them. Email and social media accounts are being hacked by loved ones, identities are being stolen, victims are being impersonated through fake social media

Cyber vio len ce is any form of violence that brings harm to an individual deliberately using electronic means, including (but not limited to) online lu r ing , sta lk ing , tr a ffick ing (drugs/humans), sexu a l ha r a ssm ent, sexu a l exploita tion, bu lly ing , a bu se, and cou nselling su icide.

accounts, reputations are being ruined, victims are being stalked online, and intimate photos and videos are being leaked without the permission of the owner. Women of all ages who have accessed EPWIC’s services have reported being a victim of cyber abuse with specific incidents including the following: •   stalking •   threats and harassment •   sexual harassment •   blackmail •   sexual exploitation by family members, intimate partners, and/or strangers In recent years, it has become a priority of the federal government to address cyberviolence and cyber sexual violence as a result of significant and high profile cases that occurred in British Columbia (Amanda Todd) and Nova Scotia (Rehtaeh Parson).1

1

http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/cj-jp/victim/rd7-rr7/p2.html; http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rppr/other-autre/cndii-cdncii/p1.html; http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?Language=e&Mode=1&Parl=41&Ses=2&DocId= 6593964; http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/cyberbullying-bill-won-t-stop-online-taunts-critics-say1.2440785 3 | 10

CONNECT PEI

In August 2013, the Ottawa Crime Prevention Bureau published a significant research study entitled Sexual Violence and Social Media. The study revealed that women and girls are the predominant victims of cyber sexual violence. The report also recognized that little is known about the sexual nature of online abuse and harassment. 2 73% of all w om en have already been exposed to or have experiences A report released by the United Nations in some form of online violence. —UN 2014 entitled Cyber-Violence Against report, Cyber-Violence Against Women, estimates that 73% of all women Women “have already been exposed to or have experienced some form of online violence.”3 Moreover, women aged 18–24 are more likely to experience stalking and sexual harassment online, in addition to receiving physical threats.

THE CONNECT PEI PROJECT During 2011–2014, East Prince Women’s Information Centre (EPWIC) met with over 2,700 youth and 550 parents, educators, and community stakeholders throughout PEI, presenting on Internet Safety and Digital Leadership. Based on the experiences EPWIC heard during this three-year period, it launched a two-year project in March 2014 entitled CONNECT PEI with funding from the Status of Women Canada, under the theme Cyber and Sexual Violence: Helping Communities Respond.4 The initial purpose of CONNECT PEI was to conduct primary research, including a needs assessment, to determine the nature of cyberviolence and cyber sexual violence in Prince Edward Island, identify potential strategies based on recommendations from youth, community stakeholders, and the general public, and share findings of the report with stakeholders and residents of PEI through public presentations and an online community network. The ultimate goal of the project is to use this needs assessment to identify applicable strategies for community stakeholders to potentially implement within their organizations to create safer online spaces. This report is the final step of this initial purpose, as it serves to communicate and disseminate findings among stakeholders, educators, youth workers, and the general public.

2

http://www.crimepreventionottawa.ca/Media/Content/files/Publications/VAW/Sexual%20Violence%20and %20Social%20Media-final-Nov%202013.pdf 3 http://www.bwss.org/cyber-violence-against-women-is-rampant-and-together-were-changing-that-reality/ 4 http://www.swc-cfc.gc.ca/fun-fin/cfp-adp/2013-2/t1-eng.html 4 | 10

CYBERVIOLENCE NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

In its desire to explore the nature of gender-based violence in acts of cyberviolence and cyber sexual violence, CONNECT PEI researchers specially focused on young women and girls, ages 12–18; however, youth up to age 21 did participate in focus groups. While it is important to address all forms of cyberviolence against youth in PEI, there is a unique relationship between technology and the use of it as a weapon against young women Seven ty yo u th from across PEI that is occurring in this province. participated in youth focus groups (46 females, 24 males). Of these, 100% said they had w itnessed a cts of cy ber v iolence, and This report draws on research conducted approximately 70% said they were from November 2014 to June 2015. This v ictim s of cy ber v iolence. needs assessment included the following: •   Conducting an audit of existing legislation, programs, and support services (federal and provincial) •   Hosting an in-person stakeholder session (including administering a stakeholder survey) •   Creating 3 online surveys for PEI youth, parents/guardians, and community stakeholders •   Facilitating 12 youth focus-group sessions, 6 community consultations, 14 outreach presentations, and multiple personal interviews Data from all these sources are integrated throughout the report, which is divided into sections corresponding to the eight main research objectives: 1.  Determine knowledge and awareness levels of cyberviolence amongst youth, parents, and key community stakeholders in PEI 2.  Determine which forms/types of cyberviolence are being committed in PEI 3.  Determine whether cyber sexual violence is taking place amongst youth in PEI 4.  Identify digital spaces where cyberviolence and cyber sexual violence takes place and is most likely to occur 5.  Determine who is most vulnerable and likely to be a victim of cyberviolence and cyber sexual violence 6.  Determine who is most likely to be a perpetrator of cyberviolence and cyber sexual violence 7.  Identify existing legislation, programs, and support services addressing cyberviolence and cyber sexual violence 8.  Identify gaps in legislation, policies, programs, and support services, as well as institutional barriers and other factors that limit a community’s ability to address cyberviolence and cyber sexual violence The research explored the gendered nature of cyberviolence, attitudes, and experiences of young people, links between sexual violence and cyberviolence, elements that are unique to 5 | 10

CONNECT PEI

cyberspaces, effectiveness of current approaches, potential promising strategies, existing institutional mechanisms and supports, and noting gaps in policies, services, strategies, and decision-making processes. Many findings came out of the research that are expanded on throughout this report. Community stakeholders, parents/guardians, and youth candidly shared with researchers their experiences of cyberviolence and cyber sexual violence in order for CONNECT PEI to gain a thorough picture of what is happening in Prince Edward Island to Island youth. Over 100 youth from across PEI participated in this study, and offered genuine recommendations on how to prevent such acts from occurring in the first place and strategies that should be implemented to assist victims of cyberviolence and cyber sexual violence.

Cyberviolence and Cyber Sexual Violence in PEI: A Snapshot Internet Safety •   86% of youth reported they have unrestricted access to social media and mobile phone apps. •   95% of parents and 82.1% of youth said they have discussed Internet Safety with one another. •   Only 7.5% of PEI parents feel the Internet is safe for their children (57.5% feel it is “somewhat safe” and 35% feel it is not safe). •   35.7% of Island youth feel that the Internet is safe, 57.1% feel it is “somewhat safe,” and 7.1% feel it is not safe. Youth and the Digital Culture •   PEI youth spend, on average, 4-6 hours online per day. •   Girls are more likely to be victims of cyber sexual violence, and are under extreme pressure to share sexual images of themselves with young males their own age, as well as with older males from their communities and/or male strangers they meet online. •   Many Island males in junior high and high school have locked photo albums on their phones with hundreds of nude or near-nude photos of female classmates, and they view and swap images on their way to school, during lunch, and on breaks. •   Island youth report that cyberviolence incidents are more likely to happen through texting, Facebook messaging, YikYak, Ask.FM, Ask.FM Straw Poll, SnapChat, Instagram, Tumblr, and Twitter. Online gaming sites are also popular spaces for cyberviolence.

6 | 10

CYBERVIOLENCE NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Communication & Discussion of Cyberviolence & Cyber Sexual Violence •   76% of parents who completed our online survey have discussed issues pertaining to cyberviolence with their children, but only 60.7% of youth said their parents have talked to them about it. •   Only 41% of youth tell their parents they have been victims of cyberviolence. •   The online survey revealed that 69% of parents felt their children would tell them if they experienced cyberviolence. Cyberviolence & Cyber Sexual Violence Victims/Witnesses •   70% of youth who participated in focus groups said they were victims of cyberviolence. •   Types of cyberviolence PEI youth have experienced: harassment, threats, bullying, abuse, online stalking, hate speech attacks, counselling suicides, non-consensual distribution of intimate photos, revenge porn, sexual harassment, luring, blackmail, and sextortion •   70% of youth who participated in the online survey admit to witnessing acts of cyberviolence in the past twelve months; 100% of youth who took part in focus groups admit to witnessing acts of cyberviolence. •   Boys also experience high levels of cyberviolence; however, they tend not to talk about it as much as girls. Girls are more prone to attacks of cyber sexual violence. •   Over half of cyberviolence victims (55%) said their abuser was a friend from school, 18% said it was friend(s) from other activities/groups, 36% said it was a fellow student at their school; 27% said it was a stranger; 18% said it was a student from another school; 18% did not know who their abuser was; 9% said it was a past intimate partner. In other words, 73% of youth victims knew their perpetrator. •   In terms of dealing with acts of cyberviolence, 27% of youth victims did nothing, 46% told their parent/guardian, 36% told a friend, 36% reported it to their school; 18% told a trusted teacher; 18% told a trusted adult relative; 18% reported their abuser to the social network; 9% told the school guidance counsellor; 9% told the police; 9% screen captured the violence for evidence; 9% switched schools. The majority of youth victims (73%) said taking one or a combination of these actions stopped the violence. Effects of Cyberviolence & Cyber Sexual Violence •   Youth are greatly affected by negative experiences they have online, whether they are victim or witness to cyberviolence acts. While both male and female youth are equal victims of cyberviolence, girls are the primary targets for all forms of cyber sexual violence, including sexual harassment, luring, stalking, exploitation, blackmail, and sextortion. 7 | 10

CONNECT PEI

•   Many youth reported feeling the effects of cyberviolence and cyber sexual violence years after the initial attack. •   Being a victim of an act of cyberviolence and/or cyber sexual violence can lead to social withdrawal; fear for personal safety; anxiety/nervousness; depression; feeling hurt, sad, or angry; disconnect from the online world; feeling ashamed, embarrassed, or worthless; loss of friendships and social contacts; feeling powerless; low self-esteem; poor mental health; trust issues; and a sense of isolation. PEI Support Services for Victims of Cyberviolence and Cyber Sexual Violence •   48% of community stakeholders who took part in the offline survey have addressed cyberviolence incidents; 44% who took part in our online survey have addressed cyberviolence against youth. While almost 50% of stakeholders revealed they offer support services and programs to victims of cyberviolence, 0% of youth and 33% of parents have searched for information and programs on cyberviolence, and only 36% of parents are aware of organizations that provide support services. Types of cyberviolence addressed by PEI community stakeholders include cyberbullying, non-consensual distribution of intimate photos, cyber sexual harassment, violent texts, cyber harassment, stalking of an intimate partner, cyber abuse and stalking, sexual exploitation of minors, and luring minors for sex or drugs. •   In an online survey, 27% of stakeholders indicated they have responded to cyber sexual violence incidents, and 63% of youth cyberviolence victims report they were also victims of cyber sexual violence. •   Guidance counsellors, school principals, and youth program workers across PEI state that they deal with high incidents of sexting, sexual exploitation, sexual harassment, and nonconsensual distribution of intimate photos. •   90% of youth who participated in this study feel that there are not enough services available to victims of cyberviolence and cyber sexual violence. •   PEI is one of four provinces and one territory that does not have provincial legislation for online abuse and cyberbullying. Reporting Acts of Cyberviolence & Cyber Sexual Violence •   PEI is one of four provinces and one territory that does not have provincial legislation addressing bullying, online abuse, and cyberbullying. •   Community stakeholders cited various barriers preventing youth and communities from reporting and addressing acts of cyberviolence: lack of proper training in dealing with technology-related violence, limited access to specialized programs and services, lack of dedicated resources, lack of formal policies and procedures, inadequate laws and 8 | 10

CYBERVIOLENCE NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

legislation, system still catching up with the online explosion and youth need to overcome fear of the repercussions if they report. •   Youth cited many reasons for not reporting acts of cyberviolence and cyber sexual violence. Some of these include: fear of retaliation, being shamed/judged by their abuser; feelings of guilt, shame, and/or embarrassment; incompetent adults; not wanting to make their private lives public; not wanting to deal with lengthy investigative procedure that is not likely to yield results; lack of support; fear of being shamed/judged by peers, school authorities, or police; and anonymous accounts. •   The majority of youth admitted they would not report acts of cyberviolence and cyber sexual violence.

Recommendations The report concludes by making recommendations for development of prevention strategies and programs that target cyberviolence and cyber sexual violence against youth in PEI age 12–18, and more specifically young women in this age range. •   Recom m endation #1: Develop cyberviolence and cyber sexual violence education and prevention programs as part of the public education system. •   Recom m endation #2: Conduct a thorough review of Criminal Code enhancements (March 10, 2015) and educate Islanders on their rights and responsibilities under the new federal law. •   Recom m endation #3: Develop an Island-wide community resource with standardized information, programs, and support services. •   Recom m endation #4: Create new provincial cyber safety laws. •   Recom m endation #5: Implement new standardized cyberviolence and cyber sexual violence school policies and a School Safety Act. •   Recom m endation #6: Allow for private and confidential community-based services. •   Recom m endation #7: Hire trained counsellors, facilitators, and specialists in cyberviolence and cyber sexual violence. •   Recom m endation #8: Create support groups with trained facilitators. •   Recom m endation #9: Develop youth-led support groups. •   Recom m endation #10: Create youth empowerment programs. •   Recom m endation #11: Encourage a Youth Speakers Bureau. •   Recom m endation #12: Implement peer-led school programs. 9 | 10

CONNECT PEI

•   Recom m endation #13: Create a protocol checklist for youth, parents, and stakeholders searching for proper information and education sources on cyberviolence and cyber sexual violence. •   Recom m endation #14: Create online and telephone support services. •   Recom m endation #15: Allow more legal support and create harsher laws. •   Recom m endation #16: Develop a community education program on prevention. •   Recom m endation #17: Do not implement wifi in schools •   Recom m endation #18: Since many adults participate in acts of cyberbullying, invest in awareness campaign promoting adults as role models

ADDRESSING CYBERVIOLENCE & CYBER SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN PEI The environmental scan revealed that while PEI does have some programs in place that address issues of cyberviolence and cyber sexual violence, these programs are basic. The province needs to develop more detailed and specific policies, programs, and support services. CONNECT PEI plans on sharing its research with community stakeholders and policy makers. The team will also present a list of prioritized recommendations to provincial and municipal governments. This research project has shown that there is a strong desire from all interest groups and stakeholders to address cyberviolence and cyber sexual violence in PEI. PEI youth are experiencing high rates of technology-related violence, including cyber sexual violence against young women, and it is time that parents, school administration, community members, stakeholders, policy makers, and government take action. A Cyberviolence Prevention Strategy for PEI needs to be developed and implemented immediately. It is time to come out from behind the screen and take action.

You can’t “un-see” what you saw online, and you’re affected about how you feel when you see it happen, then you come face-to-face with those people, and you feel uncomfortable especially if they did something really shitty to someone or something nasty happened to them. —Participant, male, high school

10 | 10