[Blog] From Alarm to Action : Mauritius Must Confront Digital Violence with Urgency

Between April and November 2025, Mauritius has witnessed a troubling pattern: rising digital violence met with ceremonial declarations, but no coordinated national response. The April 11 press conference at Sicom Building revealed over 19,000 cases of cybercrime logged on the MAUCORS+ platform since 2018. These included identity theft, online harassment, revenge porn, and digital blackmail—many targeting youth and women. Ministers across portfolios acknowledged the crisis. Yet, seven months later, the November 5 launch of Novembre Numérique at the Institut Français de Maurice offered cultural showcases and tech-art installations, but no mention of child protection, cyber-harassment, or civic resilience.

This gap is not symbolic—it is systemic. While Mauritius celebrates digital creativity, it remains institutionally unprepared to confront digital harm. The absence of legal reform, school-based education, and community engagement mechanisms leaves minors and vulnerable citizens exposed. The time for ceremonial alarm has passed. The time for coordinated action is now.

(A)  Existing Legal Framework in Mauritius

Mauritius has partial legal protections for children online, including:

• Child Protection Act (1995) – Sections 13A and 15 address child abuse and exploitation, but lack digital specificity.
• Criminal Code – Sections 248, 251, and 288 criminalize threats, defamation, and obscene publications.
• ICT Act (2001) – Sections 18(m) and 46(h)(i) prohibit misuse of communication services, including harassment.
• CERT-MU Guidelines (2023) – Offer technical advice but lack enforcement mechanisms or child-centered protocols.

These laws are fragmented and outdated. They do not address revenge porn, grooming, or the psychological impact of digital abuse.

(B)  International Models for Child Online Protection

• United Kingdom – The Online Safety Act (2023) mandates platforms to remove harmful content and empowers Ofcom to fine violators.
• Australia – The eSafety Commissioner has legal authority to compel takedowns and support victims of image-based abuse.
• India – The Information Technology Rules (2021) require platforms to publish grievance mechanisms and remove harmful content within 24 hours.
• European Union – The Digital Services Act (2022) enforces transparency, child protection, and algorithmic accountability.

Mauritius must now align with these global standards—not just in law, but in civic practice.

(C)  Proposed Interventions corps ( a new proposed body to make school violence and drug free),

1. Digital Dignity Taskforce (DDT)

• Multi-stakeholder body integrating school police corps corps ( a new proposed body to make school violence and drug free),  CERT-MU, child psychologists, Religious and youth leaders, Ombudsperson for Children, National Children Council, Crime Prevention Unit, CDU and FAM AN MARS
• Mandate: rapid response to cyber-harassment, community education, and dignity-based healing protocols

2.    Cyber Protection Act for Minors

• Criminalize revenge porn, grooming, and digital blackmail
• Mandate digital literacy programs in all secondary schools
• Establish safe, anonymous reporting channels
• Empower civic and faith-based organizations to lead prevention efforts

Mauritius must move from fragmented awareness to unified guardianship. Every child deserves digital dignity. Every citizen deserves institutional protection. Every school, mandir, and civic body must be part of the solution.

We invite the Ministry of Technology, the Ministry of Education, The ministry of Gender Equality, Ministry of Youth, and all national stakeholders to engage with these proposals—not as observers, but as co-architects of a safer, more ethical digital future.

Let us act. Let us legislate. Let us protect.

Sources:
International models summarized from ILMA Foundation report

By Dharamraj Deenoo, a Civic Steward