leeanna.maharaj@guardian.co.tt
Head of the T&T Police Service (TTPS) Gender Based Violence Unit, Superintendent Claire Guy-Alleyne, has called for better laws to protect women online. She told a virtual townhall meeting that there has been an increase in cyberbullying, specifically blackmailing of women by ex-partners.
Guy-Alleyne is also calling for laws to change the term child pornography to child sexual abuse videos.
The townhall meeting, hosted by the Ministry of Gender and Child Affairs, discussed digital gender-based violence (GBV).
Guy-Alleyne said if the laws are not strengthened, victims will not get justice.
“We need to strengthen laws and law enforcement efforts to better address these crimes and hold perpetrators accountable. This could include monitoring of online activity, the establishment of specialised task forces, and harsher penalties for those convicted of GBV or child abuse offences,” she said.
She added: “We also need to invest in resources and support for survivors. For example, invest in more shelters, we need more financial support, counselling services, and legal aid, just to name a few.”
Guy-Alleyne said although there is no Cybercrime Act, there are laws under which perpetrators can be charged, including:
• The misuse of telephone facilities and false telegrams under Chapter 1102 of the Summary Offences Act
• Harassment under Chapter 1108 of the Offence Against a Person Act
• Chapter 1117 under the Computer Misuse Act
• A series of offences under the Children Act, including child pornography and exposing a child to pornography.
She urged victims to make reports to the police.
“Many victims are reluctant to report these crimes and we can imagine why. The victims or survivors feel very ashamed or embarrassed, and if we look at what is happening on the internet today, we will see some internet trolls who have all kinds of manners of evil to say to survivors and victims when some of these videos hit the media or public,” she said.
“A lot of times, survivors feel that they wouldn’t be believed, but I want to assure the TTPS believes you, and the TTPS would investigate these matters.”
Guy-Alleyne advised parents to be more aware of their children’s online and offline activities and said adults should be more cautious with their online presence.
Dr Andrea Kanneh from the Ministry of Digital Transformation shared internet safety tips to prevent cyberbullying, including managing the amount of personal information shared on social media and creating strong passwords.
Independent Senator Dr Varma Deyalsingh spoke about the effects of cybercrimes on the victims’ and attackers’ mental health and Dr Hazel Othello, head of the Mental Health Unit at the Ministry of Health, shared resources to assist abuse survivors.