Facts Sexual harassment and sexual abuse

Sexual harassment on the internet is real. Dick pics, sexual messages, or uncomfortable comments are examples of what it might look like on the internet.

When a person on the internet contacts you in some way, via messages, direct messages, comments on your pictures, etc., and alludes to the body, sex, nudity, gives unwelcome compliments or invitations—it is sexual harassment. 

This behavior can be a crime, it depends on the situation. It is always worth reporting the person to the administrators of the page, and to the police for help in figuring out if it is a crime. You can also use our example guide, but it does not cover everything. Check in with the police if you are uncertain.

Identifying sexual assault

Power analysis of sexual harassment

Harassment and sexual harassment often occur because of a power imbalance, where one person thinks that they can do whatever they want, and more or less takes advantage of their position. To be in a position of privilege, whether linked to a workplace hierarchy or coming from a particular social status, means that you should practice self-criticism so that you do not contribute or become a part of the problem.

Dealing with sexual harassment on the internet

It is good for the evidence if you express that the contact attempts are unwelcome. Often times this might be difficult, for example if the person is close to you, is in your immediate environment, or if they have a superior role. Just because you do not have the energy or courage to say no does not make the person’s behavior okay. Seek support and take it further. 

Advice Gather digital evidence

Document and save everything that can be used to investigate what has happened.

Guide: Gather digital evidence 

Advice Never answer threats!

Don't answer! It can escalate the situation and make the legal process more difficult. Always file a police report.

Advice Take your mental health seriously

Put your mental health first. Sometimes, it can be important to take a break from social media accounts. Let someone else take care of or clear out your social media.

Support and help 

Advice Ask the person to stop - maybe

Even if it can be difficult or threatening, it may be good to ask the person to stop or stop trying to contact you. Do not do this if you feel like it will put your safety at risk. The reason this is important is because when you file a police report, it is often required that you have made the person understand that their behavior is unwanted. However, for women and other marginalized groups, especially trans people, it can be dangerous to speak up and say no. Trust your instinct. Contact the police or other support services right away.

Advice Report offensive posts and comments to administrators

If you read offensive and inappropriate posts or comments on social media, you can always report this to the administrators

Sexual harassment from the police and the justice system 

If the police or the justice system subjects you to sexual harassment, seek support through the Parliamentary Ombudsmen for help to file a report. There are certain people who can take care of cases that involve the justice system. Call 11414 and tell them about the situation, and they can guide you in the right direction.

It is understandable that this experience can be extremely uncomfortable and might make you question your trust in the justice system. 

Advice You are not alone, get support!

Get help from the people around you. You do not have to be alone in this. Cyber hate falls within the responsibility of the employer, school, association or organization.

Support and help.

Advice If you are not listened to

If you are not listened to, there are many special interest organizations that work specifically with the grounds of discrimination or minority perspectives. Move forward and seek support from these organizations, you are not alone! It's common that minority perspectives are not understood, this is called gaslighting.

Our support page is organized based on different issues, check out who you should contact

Gaslighting

Your experience is the most important 

Even if it would not be considered a crime, the behavior is still not okay. Seek support. No one has the right to contact you in a way that you find uncomfortable.

Nude pictures and dick pics can be illegal

If someone sends unwelcome nude pictures of themselves or others, or shows themselves naked in a camera online, it is sexual harassment. Both sexual harassment and sexual abuse are illegal. Dick pics or other types of nude pictures are illegal and are equivalent to indecent exposure. Both require consent. 

Consent on the internet

In order to send sexual pictures or nude pictures of yourself on the internet, consent is needed, just like in the offline world. 

A rule of thumb for not doing anything illegal on the internet is to ask the person that you want to start a sexual conversation with if it is okay if I/we send sexual pictures or messages to each other. Make sure that the person is able to say stop if they want to stop having intimate or sexual contact. That way, we stay within the limits of the law and act respectfully toward each other online. 

Nothing you do gives anyone the right to sexually harass you!

If a person subjects you to these crimes, it is never your fault. Nothing you said, did, shared, or suggested online or offline gives a person the right to contact you in this way against your will. 

Unfortunately, many people think that they have the right to contact us because we are active on social media. This is nothing you should have to accept as a result of your internet presence. You have the right to be who you are online. 

Intersectional perspective on sexual harassment 

Often, sexual harassment and abuse are connected to other types of harassment or the grounds of discrimination. Then, the person can be charged for more that one point.

Marginalized groups like ethnic minorities, trans people, and women are more often affected. It may be worth seeking support in several of the associations that work specifically with your grounds of discrimination. 

Advice If someone threatens to spread private material about you – contact the police!

It is a crime to spread private material about you against your will. It is also a crime if the person uses that private material to get you to do something against your will.

Unlawful violation of integrity

Sexual harassment or abuse 

Advice You are not alone, get support!

Get help from the people around you. You do not have to be alone in this. Cyber hate falls within the responsibility of the employer, school, association or organization.

Support and help.

Advice If you are not listened to

If you are not listened to, there are many special interest organizations that work specifically with the grounds of discrimination or minority perspectives. Move forward and seek support from these organizations, you are not alone! It's common that minority perspectives are not understood, this is called gaslighting.

Our support page is organized based on different issues, check out who you should contact

Gaslighting

School, workplace, and organizational responsibility

In school, at the workplace, within organizations, and in associations, there is a specific legislation again sexual harassment that is in effect both online and offline. If the person who is subjecting you to this is in the same organization, take it higher up in the organization. All of these organizations should have people who you can turn to for help in case of sexual harassment. 

If you are unsure, you can always contact the police, special interest organizations, or the union for support and advice. They all have the responsibility to investigate, and if they do not help you in the situation, they can be guilty of crimes of discrimination. 

Discrimination Ombudsman 

Swedish Work Environment Authority

Swedish Schools Inspectorate 

The Bureau Against Discrimination

People under 18 have special protection

If you are a minor, you should contact your parents or other adults, maybe someone at school. If it feels difficult, you can always contact BRIS or women’s shelters anonymously. If you are under 15 years old, it is automatically a more serious crime. 

Support and help.

Child pornography.

Sources:

Swedish Police Authority, DO, Work Environment Information Center arbetsmiljöupplysningen, UMO,Chapter 1 § 4 point 5 Discrimination Act, Chapter 6 § 10 Swedish Penal Code