The Benin government has taken a significant step in addressing technology-facilitated violence by developing 27 indicators to track and measure the phenomenon. According to a report by La Nation, these indicators will be integrated into the national statistical system, enabling better documentation and understanding of the issue. This development is expected to help identify the most common forms of violence, the people most exposed, and the needs of victims.
Technology-facilitated violence, including threats, insults, and harassment on social media, has become a pressing concern in Benin. The consequences of such acts can be severe, affecting victims' family, social, professional, and economic lives. However, the scope of the problem has been difficult to determine due to a lack of reliable data. The new indicators will help bridge this gap, providing a clearer picture of the situation.
The 27 indicators were developed in collaboration with various stakeholders, including the Police républicaine, the Centre national d'investigations numériques, and the Institut national de la Femme. These indicators will be used to collect data on technology-facilitated violence, which will be integrated into the SIDoFFE-NG system, the national system for producing and disseminating social statistics.
An study by the OFAS in 2025 found that 62% of reported cases of technology-facilitated violence involved blackmail, while 58% involved online threats and insults. Harassment and hacking each accounted for 51% of cases. However, these figures are limited to the study's sample and do not provide a comprehensive picture of the situation in Benin.
The development of the 27 indicators is expected to improve the prevention, orientation, and protection of victims of technology-facilitated violence. By providing a clearer understanding of the phenomenon, the indicators will enable more effective responses to the needs of victims. This, in turn, can help mitigate the consequences of technology-facilitated violence and create a safer online environment.
The effectiveness of the indicators will depend on the regularity and quality of data collection, as well as the exploitation of the data by relevant structures. The government and other stakeholders must work together to ensure that the indicators are used to inform policy and practice, ultimately reducing the incidence of technology-facilitated violence in Benin.
The issue of technology-facilitated violence is a complex one, requiring a comprehensive approach that involves prevention, protection, and support for victims. The development of the 27 indicators is a crucial step in this process, enabling Benin to better understand and address this growing concern.
Key points
- The Benin government has developed 27 indicators to track technology-facilitated violence, a growing concern in the country.
- The indicators will be integrated into the national statistical system, enabling better documentation and understanding of the issue.
- The development of the indicators is expected to improve the prevention, orientation, and protection of victims of technology-facilitated violence.
