"Findings show that Gender-Based Violence Online( GBVO) in Syria is normalized and systemic, not merely isolated incidents, functioning as a mechanism of social control that reinforces patriarchal power and restricts civic participation. It takes overlapping forms, including sexual blackmail, harassment, defamation campaigns, doxxing, and psychological intimidation. Women with visible public profiles, especially journalists, activists, and civil society actors, are the primary targets, with “visibility” acting as the key risk factor. Perpetrators range from anonymous individuals to coordinated networks aiming to silence or discipline women’s participation. Abuse is facilitated by platform dynamics: encrypted spaces (e.g., Telegram) enable coordination, while public platforms (e.g., Facebook) amplify attacks. Victim-blaming narratives are widespread, encouraging self-censorship and shifting accountability away from perpetrators. GBVO produces severe psychological distress, fear, reputational and professional harm, often driving women to withdraw from digital spaces. Collectively, this narrows public debate, undermines freedom of expression and media freedom, and weakens social cohesion. Institutional responses are widely seen as ineffective, with legal gaps, low trust, underreporting, and impunity enabling continued abuse. Media also plays a dual role, sometimes amplifying harm but also holding potential to reshape narratives and set protective standards.
Recommendations: prioritize gender-sensitive moderation and ethical reporting in media; survivor centered support, documentation, and coalitions within civil society; and legal reform, specialized institutional capacity, and awareness campaigns led by policymakers." (Executive summary, page 5)