Themes of harassment

Research conducted and published in 2016 on the cyberharassment of disabled people found, “the use of electronic communication creates an online context that further reshapes this discrimination.” (Alhaboby ZA et al, 2016). Five themes emerged from this research:

• Disability and health consequences
• Family involvement
• Misrepresentation of self
• Perceived complexity
• Lack of awareness and expertise

Cyberharassment incidents against disabled people were influenced by the pre-existing impairment, perceived hate-targeting, and perpetrators faking disability to get closer to victims online.

The findings highlighted a need for action and proper support for those who experience this type of harm.

The following sections will briefly explore each of these themes in more detail.

Disability and health consequences

Within the study there were people who had experienced cyberharassment related directly to their disability.

“The language is disgusting and they refer to my disability.”

This harassment affected an individual’s wellbeing by causing:

• Distress
• Anxiety
• Mood disturbances
• Deterioration of existing health conditions
• Suicidal attempts

This study highlights just how strongly harassment online can impact psychological well-being, especially if this is something that continues over a longer period of time.

Family involvement

Cyberharassment did not just affect the individual but in some instances the wider family. This could happen either through targeting the family members directly, or by the negative effect of witnessing the harassment of someone close to them. This often left family members with fear, guilt and helplessness when speaking of the violation. Or it may be that family members learn of online abuse when an individual becomes ill, or confides in them, and they need to take action with the harasser or group online to stop any abuse.

Misrepresentation of self

The misrepresentation of self is one of the tactics used by people who commit abuse and cyberharassment online. In some instances those perpetrating harassment were guilty of fraud, deception and manipulation. Those targeting the individuals claimed to be disabled themselves or used false identities to get closer. They did this to obtain more information from those who they were targeting, and keeping their identities hidden. In other instances harassers were interfering with a person’s support network by providing false information or pretending to be victims of harassment themselves. This can lead to people developing a false sense of trust with others who they online know through particular online contact or communities. When that trust is established then it can open someone who is at risk up to sharing personal details, whether they be financial or otherwise.

Perceived complexity

Within a legal context, the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, and Protection from Harassment Act 1997 can provide an opportunity for authorities to act, however, the complexities of the legislation can make access to instrumental support complex. Most participants in the Alhaboby study considered cyberharassment a sophisticated means of victimisation and having distinct patterns of activity. Some of them described offenders as clever and ‘beating’ the legal system.

Lack of awareness and expertise

Finally the Alhaboby research concluded that there is a need to raise awareness, educate and provide training for professionals who support those who have been targeted when it comes to protecting those at risk of cyberharassment. This should be spread across support groups, police, health and social care and support professionals. And finally, there is more to be done on raising public awareness on what online abuse and harassment can look like and how to mitigate and prevent negative effects.