KP transgender becoming victims of cyber harassment

PESHAWAR: Transgender community in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) which has long been facing violence has now become victims of cyber harassment.

Transgender individuals, already facing the highest murder rate of any community in the country, are now dealing with a disturbing new trend—explicit videos of sexual assaults being circulated online.

Reports gathered by The Express Tribune reveal that dozens of videos documenting sexual violence against transgender individuals have surfaced in the province this year alone. According to Arzoo Khan, President of the Trans Action Alliance, 60 cases of sexual violence have been reported in 2024 so far. While physical attacks have plagued the community for years, cyber harassment has emerged as a new and troubling form of abuse.

Since 2015, more than 140 transgender individuals have been murdered in KP, with nearly 1,500 others injured in shootings, kidnappings, and physical assaults, Khan disclosed. “Most perpetrators escape punishment due to legal loopholes and lack of effective prosecution,” the activist said.

Int’l Day for elimination of violence against women being observed today

The issue recently gained attention after a police report was filed under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) in Peshawar. The case involved a viral video of transgender activist Dolphin Ayan, showing her partially undressed, which caused significant distress to her and her family.

The FIR, registered at the Hashtnagri police station, named four suspects. Following this complaint, the Federal Investigation Agency’s Cyber Crime Wing began its probe. Similarly, a separate case in Swabi involved two transgender individuals who were sexually assaulted and filmed.

Police sources claim that FIRs are registered in over 90 per cent of transgender murder cases, and suspects are frequently arrested.

However, local settlements, insufficient legal follow-up, and the lack of court testimonies often lead to acquittals.