Women's Experiences With Cyber Crime a Case of Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

This a cross-sectional descriptive study of the women's experiences of cybercrimes in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study expressly set out to determine the forms of cybercrimes experienced by women, examine the prevalence of cybercrimes against women, and the effects of cybercrime on women. The study findings indicate that respondents enjoy 90% of internet access either at home, office/work, cell phones, modem, and cyber café. Out of the 140 respondents surveyed, 45% (63) were single, 32%(45) were married, 16%(22) were separated/divorced, and 7%(10) reported to be widowed. Women encounter an array of cybercrimes, including online harassment, cyber stalking, received obscenities, threats online, sexual harassment, privacy exposed, impersonated, reputation sabotaged, private photos posted online without their consent/approval, computer disabled. Online harassment and cyber stalking are the most common, at 77.6%(109) and 76.1%(107), respectively. Out of the 140 respondents, 53.2%(74) reported having received sexually harassing advances, messages, or pictures; 42.8%(60) did not consider the passages as harassing. Risk factors associated with increased exposure to cybercrimes included those with many social online accounts, updating their statements frequently, especially with a controversial topic. Most of the time, online users do not set their accounts to privacy settings, adds strangers to their friends' lists, and post personal information. From the findings, the perpetrators of cybercrimes are not necessarily men as 44.2%(62) of the perpetrators were reported to be male, 42.7%(60) were women perpetrators, and 12.9%(18) gender was unknown. The study concludes that majority use the internet for social networking and work/study, making them more susceptible to cybercrime. Online harassment and cyber stalking is an issue that needs to be addressed. At times, online contacts end up in offline communications, leading to actual physical harm that cause emotional and psychological distress. The study recommends that women using online resources should make use of the security settings put in place to limit online exposure, and increase the offender's risk. The government through the law enforcement agencies should impalement and enforce the Computer misuse and cybercrimes Act, 2018 so as to protect internet users against cybercrime.