Global safety concerns rise regarding digital violence and sexual strangulation

In Kenya, Search for Common Ground has trained over 4,000 police recruits to address digital violence, including harassment and cyberstalking. The initiative aims to bridge a trust gap, as surveys indicated that 72% of police officers had no training in handling online abuse and only 8% of cases resulted in convictions. The training focuses on investigating online abuse and treating survivors with dignity to prevent radicalization in online spaces.

In Australia, forensic experts are warning of an increase in sexual strangulation risks among young women. Dr. Amelia McLean of the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine noted a striking rise in patients, expressing concern that the normalization of choking—fueled by pornography and social media tutorials on platforms like TikTok and YouTube—could lead to a generation facing higher risks of brain injury, stroke, and arterial dissection.