Cyber harassment has long been a problem that has plagued our society. You often hear stories about nudes being leaked as revenge, regardless of whether they’re real or fake. However, what stings the most is when betrayal of such an immense level comes from those closest to you. Perhaps, that is why the following incident about a husband leaking his wife’s pictures feels all the more horrifying.
Junaid Akram took to Twitter earlier to discuss the incident
A jealous husband has leaked 400+ pics and videos of his own wife in compromising situations and sent it to all her friends and co-workers.
— Junaid Akram (@junaidakram83) June 28, 2017
The husband spread the pictures far and wide till they reached Junaid Akram’s friend as well
One of the recipient is my friend and she doesn't know how to break it to her co-worker.
— Junaid Akram (@junaidakram83) June 28, 2017
He rightly went on to state how this is not an isolated incident
This is not the incident of its own kind. Countless instances where men have broken trusts and uploaded after a fight or a break up.
— Junaid Akram (@junaidakram83) June 28, 2017
He urged women to keep their private pictures to themselves
Ladies, I urge you. No matter how much he loves you, don't send stuff or let him film you during an intimate moment.
— Junaid Akram (@junaidakram83) June 28, 2017
And mentioned that whatever goes up on the Internet is there permanently
Even if he doesn't upload them, the phones get snatched all the time and data gets recovered. Once something goes on the internet it stays.
— Junaid Akram (@junaidakram83) June 28, 2017
However, another point that absolutely must be raised is how we shouldn’t have to live in a world where women must tread so carefully that there is no place for trust left in their lives. The problem lies within this mindset where leaking pictures is seen as a form of revenge. The responsibility does not lie solely in the woman’s hands, but also in the hands of the men they choose to trust.
Junaid Akram went on to state how in spite of all its benefits, technology also has the potential to haunt us
We're the first generation with such technology. We don't know how much it can haunt us for the rest of our lives and basically ruin it.
— Junaid Akram (@junaidakram83) June 28, 2017
And he concluded the thread with the following message
If someone truly loves you, they would never put you at so much risk to begin with.
— Junaid Akram (@junaidakram83) June 28, 2017
The horrifying fact that a husband put his wife in a position where he became the perpetrator of cyber harassment for her did not sit well at all with those who chanced upon this Twitter thread.
People called him “an excuse of a human being”
More like an "excuse of a human being" than just a "jealous husband"
— Omar A (@Nostalgic_Grip) June 28, 2017
And a few people had very volatile reactions
Khabees Insaan Ko qatal kar de Koi.
— Aamir Afzaal Malik (@Aamirviews) June 28, 2017
Some pointed out how our women are always shamed
our daughters, sisters, and mothers are living hauntingly horrific lives because at the end of the day women got to suffer the shame!
— Zuhair Aslam (@zuhairaslam) June 28, 2017
And how their spirits are often crushed in the process
and instead of empowering our woman and giving them courage and confidence we as a society tend to demolish their feelings/emotions/rights/
— Zuhair Aslam (@zuhairaslam) June 28, 2017
Some commented on our society’s deteriorating moral values
This is ridiculous.. our moral values have disappeared..
— Sia (@keeko999) June 28, 2017
And some suggested that the husband should be reported
Report him to FIA cyber crime cell
— Ahsan Jamil, CMT (@ajlongshanks) June 28, 2017
While many will brush this aside as a domestic matter that has gotten out of hand, the fact of the matter remains that the husband violated his wife’s security and privacy in one of the vilest ways. Not only is this a major breach of trust – which, at this point, is a minor matter – it is also a crime that must be reported. Fortunately, with the existence of Digital Rights Foundation, it can be.
Led by Nighat Dad, who is an activist and a lawyer, the highly skilled team at Digital Rights Foundation handles matters pertaining to episodes of cyber harassment such as these. They can be contacted through their Facebook page at all times, and through their helpline which is functional from 9 am to 5 pm throughout Monday to Friday.
It is all too easy to shame women and dismiss the matter by saying that she should have been careful in the first place. Should she have been careful about the man she was supposed to spend her life with? What possible way could one find to blame the woman here?
Incidents like these will keep repeating themselves and pushing women on the receiving end to the absolute edges unless we take action. It is high time that we stopped adding salt to the victim’s injuries by holding them responsible for such incidents. The blame can only fall on the perpetrators who, at the end of it all, must be held accountable.
Let us know what you think in the comments section.