Internet Abuse & PTSD: Interview with NOW’s President Christian F. Nunes, MBA, MS, LCSW
Internet has changed the way we talk, learn, work and connect. He has also created a place for abuse, especially against women. This abuse can have serious effects on mental health.
The Association of Anxiety and Depression of America (ADAA) spoke with the president of the National Organization for Women (now), Christian F. Nunes, MBA, MS, LCSW on Internet abuse. She also shares what to do if a loved one happens to you.
What is Internet abuse?
Christian F. Nunes says that Internet abuse occurs when people use technology, applications or social networks to damage others. Most victims are women and girls.
Internet abuse includes:
- Doxxing – Share the personal data of a woman online, putting it in danger.
- Cyberstalking, trolling and cyberbullying – harassment, threats or unwanted care.
- Non -consensual images exchange – People can make deep images or videos that use a woman’s face, voice or body without her permission. Nunes explains that 99% of Deepfake’s images are not agreed, which means that the person never accepted them.
Internet abuse is common and affects women and children worldwide. According to a UNICEF 2024 survey, 80% of children in 25 countries feel at risk of online sexual abuse.
Nunes warns that one of the most worrying things is that people are getting used to seeing these deep sexual images.
What are the effects of mental health?
As a clinical social worker and trauma therapist, Nunes includes the serious effects of internet abuse. Some people think that because abuse occurs online, it is not so bad. Nunes explains that sexual abuse images can extend rapidly online and can be difficult to eliminate. Online sexual abuse can lead to:
- Fear and anxiety
- Social isolation (avoid people and activities)
- Trust problems (struggling to feel safe with others)
- PTSD (posttraumatic stress disorder)
- Suicide thoughts
How to get help
Nunes want women to know that if they are victims of online abuse, it is not their fault and they should never feel ashamed to get help.
Women with PTSD for sexual abuse can have triggers. The triggers are things that remind someone of what happened and makes them have a bad reaction. She encourages women to seek help from a licensed therapist who specializes in:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (TCC)
- Cognitive processing therapy (CPT)
- Desensitization and reprocessing of the Ocular Movement (EMDR)
- Consciousness
Ways to stay safely
To protect himself and his loved ones, he suggests nunes:
- Adjust the privacy settings – Just share publications with people you know.
- Take into account personal details – Do not publish information that can identify it.
- Be careful with friendship requests – Do not accept requests of strangers, bots or false accounts.
- Block and inform – If someone is harassing you, blocking it and not participating.
- Inform abuse quickly – Contact the police and take good notes or screenshots of what happened. Rloque and the direct lines of sexual abuse (1-800-656-hope) can provide support.
If the abuse online has happened to him, know that he is not alone. Be sure to seek help if you need it and keep it safe.
