DIGITAL VIOLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE: A GROWING CONCERN

Adapted from a presentation by Qaqamba Moeletsi

As our professional lives become increasingly digital, workplaces are not immune to the wider societal rise in technology-facilitated gender-based violence. With the 2025 focus of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence being on digital violence, it is an opportune moment to highlight the growing threat of digital violence in work environments.

Understanding Technology-Facilitated Violence

Technology-facilitated violence—often referred to as digital violence—includes any act committed, assisted, or amplified through information and communication technologies that results in harm or infringes on rights and freedoms. This can take many forms: cyberstalking, harassment via internal communication platforms, the non-consensual sharing of images, and gender-based trolling or attacks through workplace tools.

The Role of Workplaces

Employers are central to addressing and preventing digital violence. Effective collaboration between employee relations, human resources, and IT departments is essential to building strong digital safety policies. These policies should explicitly cover widely used communication tools such as WhatsApp, Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom.

Equally important is employee awareness—staff must understand what constitutes technology-facilitated violence, how it manifests, and why prevention matters.

Legal and Legislative Framework

South Africa has a robust, evolving framework to regulate digital violence. Key legislation includes the Cybercrimes Act, the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act, and the Protection from Harassment Act. Additionally, the Code of Good Practice on the Prevention of Harassment in the Workplace recognises that harassment may occur through electronic equipment and digital platforms, creating clear obligations for employers to address these risks.

Case Study: The Impact of Digital Violence

A notable South African case illustrates the profound harm digital violence can inflict. A woman was subjected to ongoing cyber abuse by her ex-boyfriend and his wife, including the recording of intimate images, the creation of a fake Facebook profile, and derogatory emails sent to her employer. The court awarded substantial damages, underscoring the serious physical, emotional, and psychological consequences of digital violence.

Recommendations for Employers

To respond effectively, employers should:

• Conduct employee engagement surveys to gauge the prevalence and nature of technology-facilitated violence.
• Review and update workplace policies to explicitly address digital violence and its various forms.
• Act promptly and decisively when incidents occur to prevent escalation or further harm.
• Invest in digital literacy programmes and culture-change initiatives aimed at challenging toxic online behaviours and norms.

Conclusion

Digital violence is an urgent and evolving workplace issue. By fostering a safe, respectful, and accountable digital environment, employers can play a crucial role in combating technology-facilitated violence and advancing gender equality.