Abstract:
Cyber harassment has emerged as a serious concern for university students,
especially female undergraduates, who are increasingly exposed to gender
based abuse in online spaces. Despite this growing issue, there is limited
empirical evidence in Sri Lanka on how female students experience cyber
harassment, how they respond to it, and how such data can be used to inform
future detection systems. This study aimed to examine the prevalence, patterns,
and perceived effectiveness of responses to cyber-harassment among Sri
Lankan female undergraduates and generate an empirical foundation for future
AI-based detection. A sequential exploratory mixed-methods design was
employed. Qualitative data were collected through direct field visits and in
person interviews with ten female undergraduates to explore their lived
experiences, emotional impact, and coping responses. The insights gained were
then supported through a structured Google Forms survey administered to 150
female undergraduates. The survey examined exposure to cyber harassment,
the platforms involved, the identity of perpetrators, awareness of safety
features, and trust in institutional support. The findings revealed that 73% of
respondents had experienced cyber-harassment at least once, with WhatsApp
being the most frequently reported platform, followed by Facebook, Instagram,
and TikTok. Most incidents involved strangers or unidentified accounts,
indicating the role of anonymity in online abuse. Although most participants
were aware of blocking and reporting tools, very few found them effective, and
trust in institutional support remained low. The interview data reinforced these
results by highlighting emotional distress, reduced confidence, and reluctance
to remain active online. The study concludes that cyber-harassment is a
persistent and significant issue for Sri Lankan female undergraduates, and its
findings provide a useful basis for developing an AI-assisted detection system
to support early identification and intervention of such incidents.
