BAGHDAD, Iraq — Harassment and threats against women and girls on social media are on the rise, according to Iraq's interior ministry.
One teenager who spoke to Rudaw was forced to pay two million dinars ($1,370) to a man who threatened to post pictures of her online if she refused to sleep with him.
According to figures from Iraq's interior ministry, social media abuse increased eight percent in the first four months of this year.
In Baghdad alone, there were 317 reports of social media harassment from January to May.
A total of 15 people have been arrested for social media abuse this year, the ministry added.
"Some people have concealed the social media harassment, especially women, in order to avoid scandals. Sometimes, these crimes lead to social feuds and suicides. Divorce cases will rise. The Ministry of Interior takes care of this issue and has told some directorates to combat this phenomenon," said ministry spokesperson Khalid al-Mahana.
Although Iraq doesn't have a special law for social media abuse,perpetrators are sentenced under Paragraph 452 of the Iraqi Penal code.
The law imposes a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison for people who threaten others into handing over money.
Translation and video editing by Sarkawt Mohammed
