A new helpline has been set up to protect women and girls from online harassment, cyberstalking and sextortion in London.
The 24-hour dedicated service offers free expert advice - including specialist one-to-one support.
Mayor Sadiq Khan on Wednesday announced £170,000 of funding to better protect victims from online harm.
City Hall says on cyber offences have soared by 119 per cent in the four years to April 2023.
Crimes include misogynistic abuse, hacked social media accounts, fraud, data theft and grooming of children.
But fewer than 35 per cent of those seeking help bother to report cases to police.
Five per cent of young Londoners receiving unwanted sexual text messages never come forward and suffer in silence.
The service works via a secure chatbot on The Cyber Helpline charity’s website.
Experts in the London team will create referrals to Metropolitan Police detectives and provide victims with technical and legal advice to help turn cases into prosecutions.
The much-delayed Online Safety Act created a new offence to tackle “cyberflashing” and strengthened the law on sharing intimate images.
Mr Khan said: “Every woman and girl is entitled to be safe, and to feel safe – whatever the time of day and wherever they are in the capital.
“That includes being safe online and on mobile phones - where we know women and girls are being increasingly targeted.
“Too often those impacted don’t know where to turn for expert help and advice. That’s why today I’ve announced new investment to set up a dedicated London helpline team within the award-winning charity The Cyber Helpline to fill the gap in the specialist support available for those in need.”
Claire Waxman, London’s Victims’ Commissioner, was harassed by television producer Elliot Fogel for almost 20 years.
She said: “For many years, there has been a significant lack of understanding around the impact that online harm, such as cyberstalking, harassment, and ‘sextortion’ can have on victims, with women and girls disproportionately affected. The complexity of such criminality often leaves victims unsure of their rights and where to turn for support.
“The Cyber Helpline is a much valued member of my Victims Reference Group, and I am grateful for the support that they have provided to victims I have referred to their service, and for the expert knowledge that they have shared with the Met Police to aid investigations into such crime.
“I welcome this funding and the Mayor’s commitment to ensuring that Londoners are able to receive the tailored advice and guidance required when navigating through the criminal justice system, as well as the specialist support needed to cope and recover.”
