Online Harassment and Violence against LGBTQ+ Persons

Last updated on Apr 8, 2022

Online abuse happens on various platforms on the internet – social media, chat forums, etc. When faced with online abuse, your first step should be to see what the policy of the platform where the abuse is happening, and what steps the platform recommends for you to stop it.

You can complain to social media forums or platforms regardless of your gender or your sexual orientation and you can complain against anyone, but this policy differs across platforms so you should read the complaint policy of the platform you are facing abuse on.

You may face situations where someone is trying to out your sexual orientation or gender identity without your permission. You can take immediate action by blocking or reporting them. If you are being harassed with calls or texts on your phone, you can block them on your phone itself.

If the administrators of the platform are not being responsive or the kind of harassment you are facing is severe and repetitive, then you can also file a complaint at the local police station or cyber cell only if you are a woman/trans-woman. If you are a man/trans-man, you will be able to file an FIR with the laws which punish those who hurt or injure you.

You can complain if the following happens to you:

Account Takeover

  • If your account has been taken over without your permission or someone has unauthorized access to your account.
  • If someone has stolen your identity online by using your password or your digital signature etc.
  • If someone is causing trouble for you online if they are impersonating or pretending to be you or someone else.

Violation of Privacy

Blackmail

  • If someone is blackmailing you online for money or favors.

Abusive Threats and Language

If someone is threatening to hurt you by giving physical threats against you online.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

Please share your feedback about this post!

Sharing feedback will help us improve our content. Tell us how!

If you want to keep your feedback confidential, please mention it in your feedback. If you have a question, please ask us in the comments or Ask Nyaaya sections.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Have a question you want to ask our legal experts?

Related Resources

Love and Relationships for LGBTQ+

Anyone above the age of 18, has the right to love and have consensual sexual relationships with anyone that they wish to irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Crimes and Violence

Guide on the Rights of Transgender Persons in India

This Guide discusses the general provisions in the Constitution of India, the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 and the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Rules, 2020.
citizen rights icon

Are Live In Relationships covered under Domestic Violence law?

You are in a live-in-relationship if you cohabit, i.e.  share a house with your partner without marrying him or her. It is considered a domestic relationship between an unmarried adult woman and an unmarried adult male who live or, at any point of time lived together in a shared household.
Crimes and Violence

What are the rights of LGBTQ+ persons with respect to mental health?

Being an LGBTQ+ person does not make someone mentally ill. However, in India, an LGBTQ+ have some rights with respect to mental health.

Who can seek Protection against Domestic Violence?

Any woman can file a complaint and seek protection against domestic violence under the law, for herself and her child/children. The religion of the woman does not matter.
Crimes and Violence

What are the options if there is discrimination and harassment by medical personnel against LGBTQ+ persons?

LGBTQ+ persons may face harassment or discrimination by medical personnel and a person can take appropriate action in such cases.