A woman's legal recourse against online harassment

A large number of women in Bangladesh fall victims of cybercrimes like financial frauds, sextortion schemes, cyberbullying, revenge pornography or the circulation of fabricated nude images and videos. 

Victims choose silence over disclosure in most of the cases out of a justified fear of social stigma, in a culture that frequently places the burden of shame on the victim rather than the perpetrator.

However, existing law offers a path forward and knowing the correct steps can save the victims.

Step One: Preserve the Evidence Immediately
Before anything else, secure proof of the abuse. Take screenshots of the offending content, the perpetrator's profile name, the relevant URLs, chat histories, and the date and time of every post or message. Digital content can vanish within hours and evidence not preserved in time carries no value before the court.

Step Two: Report to the Platform
Every major platform including Facebook, provides mechanisms to report content as non-consensual intimate imagery and a separate channel to report fake or impersonating profiles. Filing both reports matters. Even when takedown is slow, the report itself creates an official record that can later support a legal case.

Step Three: Approach the Police Cyber Support Centre for Women (PCSW)
Once evidence is secured and platform reports are filed, victims should reach out to the Police Cyber Support Centre for Women. Complaints can also be lodged through the Bangladesh Police website.Contact details-
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PCSW.PHQ
- E-mail: [email protected]
- Hotline: 01320000888

Step Four: File a Formal Case
Victims have legal standing to file a formal case under Cyber Security Act (CSA) 2026 and Pornography Control Act, 2012, both of which provide grounds for prosecuting online harassment, image-based abuse and related offences.

Step Five: Seek Support from Civil Society Organisations
Legal guidance and broader support are also available through civil society groups such as Bangladesh MahilaParishad, Digitally Right, and ActionAid Bangladesh. These organisationsare experienced in assisting women navigating these cases.
The existing law provides real remedies for online abuse but only when victims act promptly, document carefully and know where to turn. Silence protects no one but offenders.

The author is a journalist and an independent security researcher