Transpersons face fresh wave of cyber harassment
PHOTO: FILE
After making headlines for bearing the grim distinction of the highest murder rate among transgender individuals in the country, the community in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) now faces a troubling new wave of abuse. Sexual assaults are being followed by an even more harrowing ordeal - explicit videos of these attacks are being circulated online, subjecting victims to a never-ending cycle of cyber harassment.
According to details gathered by The Express Tribune, dozens of videos documenting sexual violence against transgender individuals have surfaced in in the province this year. Arzoo Khan, president of the Trans Action Alliance, confirmed that 60 cases of forced sexual violence have been reported so far in 2024. While physical violence has long been a brutal reality for the community, Khan noted that cyber harassment has emerged as a troubling new dimension of the abuse.
As per Khan, more than 140 transgender individuals have been killed in the province, and nearly 1,500 others have been injured in shootings, abductions, and physical assaults since 2015. "The perpetrators of these murders are often released quickly due to legal loopholes or lack of prosecution," said the visibly perturbed activist.
The issue drew attention after a recent case of online abuse involving a transgender individual was reported to the police. A video of transgender activist Dolphin Ayan from Peshawar, showing her partially undressed, was circulated online, prompting the first-ever case to be filed under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) at Peshawar's Hashtnagri police station.
The FIR, filed on Ayan's behalf, named four accused individuals and stated that the video had damaged both her and her family's reputation. Following Ayan's complaint, the Federal Investigation Agency's Cyber Crime Wing has launched an investigation. This incident follows a similar case in Swabi, where two transgender individuals were sexually assaulted and filmed.
According to sources within the K-P Police, over 90% of murder cases involving transgender individuals lead to the registration of FIRs, and suspects are often arrested. However, local settlements, lack of follow-up on cases by transgender complainants, and the absence of court testimonies often result in the suspects being acquitted.
Speaking with The Express Tribune about the challenges in securing convictions in cases involving transgender individuals, Senior lawyer Tariq Afghan said: "Weak cases lead to inadequate investigations, which ultimately benefit the accused." Afghan also pointed out that transgender individuals often lack the resources for legal assistance, further weakening their ability to pursue justice. He also criticized the provincial police's investigation wing for its outdated practices and failure to adopt modern forensic methodsa flaw that he believes disproportionately hinders women and marginalized communities in their pursuit of justice.
Transgender individuals in K-P face not only significant security challenges but also severe economic hardships and limited job opportunities. Sobia Khan, a graduate and transgender activist from Peshawar, expressed frustration that despite government promises to provide jobs and skills training for educated transgender people, these pledges have yet to materialize.
"Despite budget allocations for transgender welfare in 2015 and 2016, nothing has been spent on the community," said human rights activist Taimur Kamal, pointing to a persistent gap between government promises and action.
He also noted the government's recent announcement of a 5% job quota for transgender individuals in public sector employment was not being implemented due to bureaucratic hurdles. "The province has become the hub for all sorts of crimes against transgender individuals," said Kamal. In K-P, he said, they face the highest levels of violence and discrimination.