Online sexual harassment is on the rise worldwide. UN Women reports that 16%–58% of women and girls have experienced online violence, including sexual harassment, threats, or sharing of explicit content without consent.
In the U.S., Pew Research found that 41% of adults have experienced online harassment, often involving sexualized comments or persistent unwanted contact.
Because these interactions move so fast across different apps, knowing exactly where to draw the line, and how to shut it down, is no longer optional; it’s a survival skill.
In this article, we’ll look at how to recognize and prevent online sexual harassment, what steps to take if it happens, and how to handle it quickly on imo.
5 Types of Online Sexual Harassment
Online sexual harassment can take many forms, from persistent unwanted messages to more aggressive or threatening behaviors.
Type 1: Unwanted sexual messages
This is more than just "annoying" flirting. It involves explicit comments or sexual requests that continue even after you’ve stopped responding or said no. Often, the messages become more aggressive the longer they are ignored.
Type 2: Cyberflashing
This is the sudden arrival of unsolicited sexual images or videos in your DMs. It’s a shock tactic designed to intimidate, usually arriving without any warning or consent.
Type 3: Threats and intimidation
Some harassers use fear as a tool, sending messages meant to make you feel unsafe. This includes pressuring you into sexual conversations or threatening physical harm if you don’t comply.
Type 4: Image-based abuse
Privacy is often weaponized after a relationship ends. Sharing intimate photos without permission—or threatening to do so—is a form of digital blackmail. Research shows that 1 in 5 adults have experienced this or been threatened with it.
Type 5: Sexualized doxxing
This happens when your private information, like your phone number or home address, is posted publicly alongside sexual threats. Because content spreads fast, a private chat can turn into a public attack in seconds.
Why Online Sexual Harassment Happens So Often
Digital anonymity can make harassers feel untouchable, while physical distance reduces empathy. This is worsened by the 'pile-on' effect. In some online circles, sexual comments are dismissed as 'just a joke,' and when others join in, a single message can quickly escalate into public abuse.
Who Is Most Often Targeted
While nobody is completely immune to digital abuse, the data reveals a clear and disturbing trend: some people are targeted far more than others.
Women and girls are the most frequent targets. Surveys show that about one-third of women under 35 have experienced online sexual harassment. The abuse they receive often includes sexual comments about appearance, unwanted advances, or messages based on gender stereotypes.
The risk is even higher for LGBTQ individuals, where harassment is often "doubled up." Harassment directed at sexual minorities often combines sexual comments with homophobic or transphobic language. In more serious cases, it can escalate into threats, stalking, or attempts to expose personal information online.
Young people are another group that faces increased exposure. Teenagers and young adults spend more time communicating online and are more likely to interact with strangers through social media, games, and messaging apps. This makes them more likely to encounter harassment in digital spaces.
At the same time, men also experience sexual harassment on the internet, although they are less likely to report it. Men often face a different kind of pressure—a cultural stigma that tells them to 'just ignore it,' which only allows the behavior to continue unchecked.
5 Ways to Reduce Your Risk Online
No digital safety plan is perfect, but you can definitely make things harder for a harasser. It’s about limiting their access to your private life before a problem even starts.
Limit personal information online
Avoid sharing phone numbers, addresses, or workplace details publicly when possible.
Adjust privacy settings
Many platforms allow users to control who can message them or view their profile.
Be cautious with strangers
Harassment often begins with a friendly message. If something feels uncomfortable early on, it’s fine to stop responding.
Separate public and private accounts
Some people use one account for public content and another for close friends.
Use blocking tools
Blocking prevents a person from contacting you again on the same platform.
These steps do not shift responsibility onto victims. The responsibility always lies with the person committing harassment. These measures simply reduce opportunities for abuse.
6 Steps to Take If You Experience Sexual Harassment Online
Step 1: Stop engaging with the person
One of the first things to do is stop responding. Many harassers continue because they receive attention or reactions. Even an angry reply can encourage more messages.
If the harassment is coming from someone you don’t know, the safest option is usually to end the conversation immediately.
If you already replied, that doesn’t mean you handled it wrong. What matters is deciding how to move forward.
Step 2: Save evidence before deleting anything
Many victims delete messages right away because they want to get rid of the content. That reaction is completely normal. However, saving evidence first can be very helpful if you decide to report the incident later.
Take screenshots that show:
- the username or account ID
- the full message content
- timestamps
- the conversation context
If the harassment includes images, threats, or repeated contact, documentation becomes even more important. Platforms and law enforcement often need this information to investigate reports.
Step 3: Use the platform’s reporting tools
Reporting a message usually allows moderators to review the conversation and determine whether the account violated community guidelines. If a user repeatedly harasses others, these reports help platforms identify patterns and remove the account.
Many victims hesitate to report incidents because they think nothing will happen. But reports are often the only way platforms know that abuse is happening.
Even if a single report does not lead to immediate action, multiple reports about the same account can eventually result in restrictions or suspension.
Step 4: Block the person to stop further contact
Blocking prevents the user from sending additional messages or interacting with your profile.
This step can be especially helpful when harassment becomes persistent. Some people send dozens of messages in a short period of time, hoping the recipient will eventually respond. Blocking stops that cycle.
Step 5: Reach out for support
Online harassment can affect people more deeply than many expect. If things feel like they’re spiraling beyond your control, don’t hesitate to pull in experts. There are organizations dedicated specifically to digital safety that can offer the kind of technical and emotional support you might not find in your immediate circle.
Having someone else aware of the situation can also make it easier to decide whether further action is needed.
Step 6: Consider legal options in serious cases
The law draws a very clear line when it comes to things like threats or sharing private images without consent
- threats of violence
- stalking behavior
- sharing private sexual images without consent
- attempts to blackmail someone using explicit material
Laws differ from country to country, but many governments now treat these behaviors as criminal offenses. If harassment escalates to threats or image-based abuse, contacting local authorities may be appropriate.
Reporting Sexual Harassment on imo
If someone makes you feel unsafe on imo, you can report them immediately.
If someone sends unwanted sexual messages, explicit images, or repeatedly contacts you in a way that makes you uncomfortable, you can stop interacting with that person and block their account.
Before you delete anything, secure the evidence. Screenshots or saved chat history can provide useful information if the situation needs to be reviewed later.
Don't hesitate to use the in-app reporting tools. When a report is submitted, the platform can review the account and take action if the user has violated community rules. Reporting does more than just stop a single harasser; it helps flag their account so they can’t target anyone else.
If the harassment includes threats or other serious behavior, you may also want to seek support outside the platform, such as talking to someone you trust or contacting local authorities.
What Bystanders Can Do
If you witness harassment, don't just scroll past. Your response can change the outcome. Reporting messages or accounts helps platform moderators identify users who repeatedly harass others. Showing support to the person being targeted can also make a difference, especially if the harassment happens in a public conversation. At the same time, avoiding the spread of offensive screenshots or rumors helps prevent the situation from escalating and protects the privacy of the person involved.
Final Thoughts
Sexual harassment did not start online, and it will not disappear overnight. What can change is how people respond to it.
When we recognize red flags early, back up those being targeted, and hold harassers accountable, we stop treating the internet as a lawless space. Safe communication isn’t only about technology. It also depends on people speaking up and supporting each other. At imo, we are committed to protecting every user and building a space where people can communicate more safely and confidently.
FAQs on Online Sexual Harassment
Q1: Are some messaging apps safer than others?
A: Safety can vary. Platforms with robust privacy controls and easy reporting tools generally offer more protection, but no app is completely risk-free.
Q2: Can I use two accounts to separate public and private life?
A: Yes. You can have one account for friends and family and another for public posts—it helps keep your personal life separate and stops strangers from messaging you.
Q3: Is it safe to block someone after reporting them?
A: Absolutely. Blocking stops further contact while your report is processed, giving you space and reducing stress.
Q4: What if harassment comes from a friend or coworker?
A: Even familiar people can be harassers. You can still set boundaries, save evidence, and report to the platform or HR if needed.
References:
https://righttobe.org/guides/understanding-online-harassment/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11335486/
https://awdf.org/OldSite/sexual-harassment-in-digital-spaces-sharing-experiences-and-resources/