In this week’s ‘Asking for my soul,’ we explore the growing crisis of cyber harassment and exploitation, alongside the legal hurdles in addressing sexual bribery in the digital age. Lead Information Security Engineer at SLCERT, Charuka Damunupola, discusses the rise of online manipulation tactics, including sextortion, revenge porn, and deepfake technology.
Legal Officer at Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL), Chathumali Kaluarachchi shares her insights into Sri Lanka’s legal framework for combating sexual bribery and cyber harassment, identifying key gaps in the law and the urgent need for more robust legal tools to protect victims.
Breeding grounds for manipulation
While cyber sexual bribery is less prevalent than other cybercrimes, Damunupola warns it is becoming a growing concern. “The internet’s rapid expansion and technological advancements are making this issue more common,” he notes. Authorities like SLCERT and the Cybercrime Division of the Police are struggling to keep up with the rising number of cases due to limited resources, despite providing crucial technical support.
Certain groups are especially vulnerable. “Women, particularly young women, are disproportionately targeted due to systemic inequalities,” Damunupola observes. Public figures, including social media influencers, are also at higher risk of exploitation. “Anyone with a public persona is a potential target.”
The tools used by perpetrators make it difficult for law enforcement to track and prosecute offenders. “VPNs can mask a perpetrator’s location, and The Onion Router (TOR) adds layers of anonymity by routing traffic through multiple countries, complicating investigations,” explains Damunupola. Perpetrators also use fake profiles, disposable emails, and anonymous social media accounts that are easily created and deleted, making it harder to trace their actions.
Another challenge is the lack of international cooperation. “Some countries lack the legal frameworks or willingness to share data, which hinders investigations,” Damunupola points out.
In addition to raising awareness about these threats, Damunupola offers practical steps to safeguard yourself online:
Avoid sharing sensitive information like your full name, home address, and phone number on public platforms.
Regularly update privacy settings to limit access to your personal data.
Use strong, unique passwords for different accounts and enable two-factor authentication (2FA).
Refrain from sharing intimate or suggestive content, even with trusted contacts, as it can be misused.
If you experience sexual extortion, preserve evidence such as screenshots and messages for potential legal use.
Never comply with extortion demands; instead, report the incident to authorities.
Be cautious of suspicious messages or emails requesting money, favours, or personal information, and watch for phishing scams.
How the legal system tackles sexual bribery and cyber harassment
Sri Lanka’s legal framework has made significant strides in addressing sexual bribery and cyber harassment, though challenges remain. The Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023, represents a crucial advancement in the fight against corruption, including sexual bribery. While the Act does not explicitly define ‘sexual bribery,’ it broadens the scope of ‘gratification’ to include non-material benefits like sexual favours.
Kaluarachchi highlights, “Section 9 defines ‘gratification’ to include favours, services, or any other benefit, thus covering sexual gratification.” This allows for prosecuting sexual bribery cases under Section 25, which criminalises the solicitation or acceptance of gratification by public officials. Although this approach aligns with international standards like the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), Kaluarachchi notes that the lack of explicit recognition of ‘sexual bribery’ limits public awareness and reporting. She suggests that Sri Lanka could follow countries like Kenya and the Philippines, which clearly define sexual bribery in their legal systems to strengthen enforcement.
The establishment of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) enhances Sri Lanka’s investigative capacity, particularly for sensitive matters like sexual bribery. However, Sri Lanka’s reliance on direct evidence can hinder prosecution. Kaluarachchi emphasises the need to evolve legal standards to include digital evidence, such as text messages and witness testimonies, to establish coercion. Amending the Evidence Ordinance to accommodate such evidence and incorporating victim impact statements would ensure a more comprehensive understanding of the toll on victims.
Victims of sexual bribery face significant barriers due to societal attitudes and institutional inefficiencies. Damunupola stresses the importance of building a robust framework that includes not only legal reform but also specialised training for law enforcement officers to handle sensitive cases. Institutional weaknesses, including a lack of specialised training and legal loopholes, result in delays, inadequate victim support, and opportunities for perpetrators to escape accountability.
Although Sri Lanka’s Bribery Act and Penal Code address some aspects of sexual bribery, Kaluarachchi advocates for expanding the Bribery Act to explicitly recognise it. She calls for independent oversight in investigations to prevent abuses of power and specialised anti-bribery units trained to handle sexual crimes with a victim-sensitive approach.
Sri Lanka has also taken steps to regulate online harassment, but the current legal framework remains fragmented and insufficient for addressing cyber sexual harassment specifically. The Computer Crimes Act focuses on general cybercrime, leaving a gap in laws targeting online sexual harassment. Damunupola explains, “The laws are outdated, and the technology has outpaced the legal system.” This gap complicates efforts to protect victims and deters many from reporting harassment due to intimidation and systemic challenges.
While progress is being made, Sri Lanka’s legal and technological frameworks must evolve to address the complexities of cyber exploitation and harassment. Stronger laws, better support for victims, and enhanced tools for law enforcement are essential. As highlighted by Charuka Damunupola and Chathumali Kaluarachchi, continued awareness and collaboration can help create a safer and more just society.
To report sexual bribery: 1954
SLCERT Hotline: 101
Originally Published on Ceylon Today