From feeling like rape to a minor inconvenience: Victims’ accounts of the impact of computer misuse crime in the United Kingdom

Blackmail and the self-disclosure of sensitive information on social media: prevalence, victim characteristics and reporting behaviours amongst Omani WhatsApp users

“…While it is difficult to draw inferences between this experience in Oman and other jurisdictions, this prevalence is akin to the reported occurrence of similar online offences, such as sextortion (5%) in the United States or hacking in the Netherlands (5–6%) (Van de Weijer et al 2020 ; Patchin and Hinduja 2020 ). Past research reveals that the consequences of online blackmail can be wide ranging and severe, including a variety of effects, such as negative financial, psychological and emotional impacts, reputational damage, feeling violated, isolated, and in severe cases, suicidal thoughts and actions (Button et al 2021 ). Moreover, if the blackmail arises from people being involved in perceived immoral actions, they can be subjected to victim blaming, which can further exacerbate these negative consequences, reduce their willingness to report this activity and leave them susceptible to further incidents of blackmail (Cross, et al 2019 ).…”

“…These include seeking financial gain or the performance of a service by the victim, with such services including both legitimate and illegitimate activity, the latter of which may open the victim up to further blackmail (Monaghan 2017 ; Alam 2018 ). The consequences of being a victim of this activity can be far-reaching, resulting in a variety of psychological issues, including but not limited to, anxiety, fear, depression, social adjustment disorders, social isolation, stigma, social disengagement, and in some cases, suicidal thoughts (Alseyah 2011 ; Al Makrami 2015 ; Monaghan 2017 ; Button et al 2021 ). Yet despite these far ranging consequences, few studies have investigated the prevalence of blackmail on WhatsApp or the challenges involved in investigating and prosecuting this behaviour.…”

Small Cities, Big Threats

“…They found the impact from being very minor for some individuals, to very severe for others, some comparing their experience to rape. Some of the victims said they "felt powerless, angry, violated in a way, very angry and angry" and that "Yes, there [are] more important things than money, but there's all different feelings that go into it, from the isolation, from the betrayal, from hopelessness" [14].…”

Online sharenting: Identifying existing vulnerabilities and demystifying media reported crime risks

“…Insights from the criminological literature on cybercrime highlight the harmful outcomes of identity misuse. For example, in Button et al (2021) study of how the victims of various forms of computer misuse perceive and experience the crime, the victims interviewed described the impact as comparable, and, in some cases, more serious than physical crimes such as burglary. Victims described serious psychological harms including emotional distress caused by the digital intrusion and the feeling that they been violated even in cases where no financial loss had been incurred.…”