Rahma Shanzour

Yemen-The Association of Mothers of Abductees has launched a wide-scale campaign to display awareness billboards across several Yemeni cities. The initiative aims to confront this growing form of digital violence and promote safe, confident participation of women in online spaces.

The campaign, launched four days ago, is part of the project “Protecting Civil and Feminist Spaces and Enhancing Women’s Role in the Peace Process.” It seeks to create a digital protection platform for the many women who find themselves trapped between societal fear and weak legal tools.

A Growing but Silent Phenomenon

In recent years, several Yemeni cities have witnessed a noticeable rise in cyber extortion cases, especially among female students, activists, and women using digital platforms for work, education, or community engagement.

Local organizations report receiving hundreds of complaints annually, though the majority of victims never come forward, fearing scandal or negative reactions from family and society.

Activists say that in many cases, the extortionist does not even possess real material; instead, he fabricates photos or invents stories. Yet the victims fall under the pressure of fear and silence—granting the perpetrator enormous power and encouraging repeated extortion and escalating demands.

Community activist Alhan Al-Shibani explains that cyber extortion has become widespread today and represents one of the most dangerous tools used against Yemeni women:

“Cyber extortion is a form of digital violence against women. The perpetrator exploits photos, videos, or personal information to control the victim and force her into compliance.”

She clarifies that the primary factor enabling the spread of extortion is fear:

 

“Fear keeps girls from reporting. They fear scandal, family reaction, or society. Meanwhile, the extortionist grows stronger because he knows her fear is his strongest weapon.”

 

She stresses that the first step a victim must take is to inform her family so she does not face the situation alone, followed by turning to relevant authorities—where available—to take the necessary legal measures:

“The first thing a woman must do is tell her family, then turn to the competent authorities to stop the crime.”

Al-Shibani calls for establishing specialized centers in all cities:

“We need real, effective units to combat cyber extortion—equipped with technical, psychological, and legal teams—not just offices that receive complaints and then close the file.”

Community Support… a Battle That Requires Everyone

Al-Shibani emphasizes that activists play an important role in accompanying victims and following up their cases, but individual efforts alone are not enough:

“As activists, we work to support women and girls in claiming their rights and ensuring that no extortion case goes unaddressed. Women should never give up their rights, and we will stand by them until we reach solutions that reduce this dangerous phenomenon.”

She believes that the newly installed billboards, online content, workshops, and trainings create an integrated system for delivering the message:

“We hope society interacts with the billboards being displayed now, with the content shared on social media, and with the workshops and awareness programs implemented by civil society and activists. We also hope journalistic reports help convey the message and become a real tool for raising awareness—both in society and among victims themselves.”

Extortion Leaves Deep Psychological Scars

Psychologist Shaimaa Al-Saamie analyzes the issue from a mental health perspective, explaining that cyber extortion has direct and severe psychological effects on young women. Many victims experience psychological disturbance from the very first moment of extortion.

She explains:

“When a girl begins to experience cyber extortion, clear signs of psychological distress appear—such as anxiety and depression—and sometimes even shock. She becomes isolated, loses self-confidence and self-esteem, and begins to distrust those around her. Negative thoughts start to dominate.”

 

The fear of scandal pushes victims into extreme isolation:

“She becomes more withdrawn, more anxious around people, and loses trust in her family and friends. Her self-esteem begins to collapse.”

Without psychological support and a safe environment, the situation may escalate:

“If the girl doesn’t receive psychological support or a safe space, her condition can evolve into dark thoughts about the future, and she may lose the ability to make decisions. In advanced stages, her entire thinking pattern may change, leading to long-term disorders.”

She affirms that the recent awareness campaigns in the city, including the one launched by the Association of Mothers of Abductees, are crucial:

“We see campaigns hanging in the city streets today warning about cyber extortion. These are extremely important initiatives. We need to understand the messages, reflect on their purpose, and consider what we as a society can do to support them.”

Campaigns That Break the Barrier of Fear

 “Awareness campaigns on cyber extortion are very important for women and girls. Many of us fear talking about the issue, but these campaigns break the barrier of fear and encourage us to report.”

She adds:

“The billboards in the streets create a sense that women are not alone—that there are people supporting them and standing with them in this fight.”

A Collective Responsibility

In the rapidly expanding digital space, Yemeni women and girls remain among the most vulnerable to cyber extortion crimes, in a society that often views victims with suspicion rather than solidarity.

Between the victim’s fear, weak community awareness, and the absence of an effective protection system, digital crime becomes a psychological and social burden that can destroy an entire life.

Awareness campaigns launched by civil society organizations—such as the initiative by the Association of Mothers of Abductees—help reopen discussions about society’s responsibility to protect its women. They remind everyone that confronting extortion is not the task of one person, but a collective duty requiring awareness, stronger legislation, and real psychological and legal support for victims.

As efforts continue on the ground, hope remains that this growing awareness will evolve into a lasting culture—one that ends victims’ silence and brings extortionists face-to-face with the law.