CyberSafe

Across India, Wales, and the wider UK, cybercrime is not just a technical problem. It reflects deeper socio-cultural realities such as gender inequality, trust in institutions, digital literacy, and social stigma. Effective responses depend as much on education, community engagement, and cultural sensitivity as on law enforcement and technology.

CyberSafe directly addresses a critical research and practice gap:

• Bridging technical cybersecurity, criminology, and safeguarding

• Focusing on women and children, who face compounded harm

• Supporting evidence-led response, not just awareness

By combining cultural understanding with technical and legal expertise, CyberSafe aims to reduce harm, strengthen reporting, and support accountable, humane responses to online crime across borders.

The project develops a CyberSafe online repository, supporting practical interventions, digital literacy tools, and frontline tailored training modules, with intension to reduce and respond to online crimes against women and children. It combines research, prevention, capacity building, victim support, technology (detection & reporting), policy advice, establishes evidence-based practices, and knowledge exchange between Karnataka and Wales. Activities are co-designed with local stakeholders to reflect socio-cultural realities, legal frameworks, and infrastructure differences in India and the UK. 

Facts

India is seeing a sharp rise in cybercrime, with 86,420 cases in 2023, a 31% increase from 2022. Karnataka is a major hotspot, reporting 21,889 cases (over 25% of the national total) and cybercrime losses of ₹861 crore. Between 2022–2025, 315 cyberbullying cases involving minors were recorded in the state. In 2023, India also saw 448,211 crimes against women and 177,335 crimes against children, including online and digital offences. Online crimes against children in Wales are rising, especially child sexual abuse imagery and grooming. In 2023/24, police recorded 2,194 such offences, with South Wales (964), North Wales (535), Gwent (503), and Dyfed-Powys (192) contributing, with roughly half involving Snapchat, and others on Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. Since 2017/18, over 550 cases of sexual communication with a child have been reported, more than doubling initial figures. UK-wide trends show increasing digital harassment and abuse targeting women. From Apr2022-Mar2023, at least 123,515 violence against women and Girls (VAWG) offences in England and Wales involved an online or tech-enabled element, including stalking, harassment, abusive communications, and online exploitation.