Delivering Transformational Services
- Protect and support survivors of online violence and those at risk through comprehensive mental health support, legal services, and cash assistance.
With the continuous and rapid advancement of technology, we have seen the gradual shift of our daily social, professional, and economic routines to online spaces. While this has been a positive advancement for many, we have also witnessed a sharp rise in online violence across the world, including in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. A lack of effective legal frameworks, low digital literacy, and social barriers have led to violent consequences, especially for women and children, with the likelihood of online violence shifting to offline spaces continuously increasing.
580,000+
reports of suspected child sexual exploitation and abuse linked to Iraq in 2024.
CyberTipline · 2024CyberTipline figures reflect reports of suspected exploitation and abuse, rather than the number of confirmed crimes or individual survivors.
SEED primarily focuses on addressing two main forms of online violence, although many others exist. Select a title to learn more.
An act of violence perpetrated by one or more individuals that is committed, assisted, aggravated, or amplified in part or fully by the use of information and communication technologies or digital media, against a person on the basis of their gender.
UNFPA · Making All Spaces Safe (2021)A broad term encompassing a range of harmful activities involving children with sexual connotations. It includes offenses such as the production and distribution of photos and videos depicting children involved in sexual activity, and online grooming of children. Cases involving individuals below the age of 18 typically fall under the scope of TF-CSEA.
ECPAT · Terminology Guidelines, second edition (2025)Online violence can have a significant impact on an individual’s mental health and well-being, and should be taken seriously. To stop it, we must improve public understanding, strengthen legislative frameworks and institutional strategies, and build the capacity of local protection actors so survivors and those at risk receive effective, survivor-centered care.
Recognize the different forms of harm. Select a type to read its definition.
Established in 2021 with support from the Iraq GBV Sub-Cluster, the Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) Task Force was created to address the rising incidence of digital forms of GBV across Iraq. In 2024, recognizing the need for an increased scope, the Task Force rebranded as the Online Violence Task Force (OVTF). It now operates under a broader mandate, tackling a wide spectrum of online violence, including technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation and abuse, cyberbullying, image-based abuse, and technology-facilitated harassment. The Iraq OVTF brings together NGOs, civil society, and government entities to strengthen collaboration and the prevention of, and response to, online violence across Iraq. Together, members work to ensure that survivors and those at risk are protected, supported, and empowered. SEED currently serves as co-chair.
In today’s digital world, children are more connected than ever before. As access to smartphones, gaming platforms, and social media continues to grow, so do the risks children may face online. Many of these risks are hidden, fast-moving…