NUS Study: 40% of Singapore University Students Experienced Online Sexual Harms

Revealing the Alarming Prevalence Among Singapore's University Students

The recent findings from the National University of Singapore's (NUS) Campus Sexual Misconduct in the Digital Age (CASMIDA) project have cast a spotlight on a pressing issue within Singapore's higher education landscape. According to the study, 40 per cent of university students have experienced online sexual harms, ranging from non-consensual sharing of intimate images to unsolicited sexual messages and cyberflashing. This statistic underscores the pervasive nature of technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV), a term encompassing any unwanted sexual behaviours mediated through digital platforms.

Conducted by Assistant Professor Michelle Ho from NUS's Department of Communications and New Media, the CASMIDA project highlights how these incidents are no longer isolated but have become disturbingly commonplace. A 90 per cent surge in technology-facilitated sexual violence cases reported to AWARE Singapore between 2021 and 2023 further amplifies the urgency, with deepfake pornography and sextortion emerging as new threats enabled by generative AI tools.

Defining Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence in the Campus Context

Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence (TFSV) refers to a spectrum of abusive acts where digital tools amplify harm. Common forms include:

• Image-Based Sexual Abuse (IBSA): Non-consensual distribution of intimate or voyeuristic images.
• Cyberflashing: Unsolicited sending of sexual images via apps or messaging.
• Sextortion: Threats to share compromising material unless demands are met.
• Deepfake Pornography: AI-generated synthetic explicit content featuring victims.
• Online Harassment: Repeated sexual messaging or grooming on social media and dating apps.

In Singapore's universities, these harms often intersect with campus sexual misconduct, blurring physical and digital boundaries. The CASMIDA project, drawing from surveys and student interactions, reveals that perpetrators exploit platform anonymity, making accountability challenging.

This phenomenon is not unique to one institution; students across NUS, NTU, SMU, and others report similar encounters, often dismissing them due to normalization in digital spaces.

Key Statistics and Demographic Insights

The CASMIDA findings indicate that 40 per cent of surveyed university students have faced online sexual harms, with young women disproportionately affected. AWARE data shows a sharp rise, while a 2023 SHE survey noted three in five Singaporeans encountered harms, females aged 15-34 twice as likely for sexual harassment.

IPS NUS's 2025 study ranked non-consensual sexual content as the most severe online harm, with 58-66 per cent prevalence of harmful content exposure. Youth vulnerability is heightened by heavy social media use, with AI tools like Grok or Microsoft Designer lowering perpetration barriers.

Psychological and Academic Impacts on Victims

Victim-survivors experience profound effects on digital well-being, including anxiety, self-blame, and withdrawal from online spaces essential for studies and socializing. The 'Detrimental to Our Digital Well-Being' study, involving 314 surveyed and 28 interviewed NUS-linked students, found limited awareness of these impacts, with many viewing tech ambivalently.

Harms escalate across platforms, leading to panic attacks, suicidal ideation, and academic disruption. Normalization—'everyone experiences it'—exacerbates silence, as noted by Asst Prof Ho: 'Young people no longer bat an eye.'

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University Responses and Initiatives in Singapore

Singapore's autonomous universities are stepping up. NUS integrates consent education in courses led by experts like Asst Prof Ho. NTU and SMU have reporting portals and awareness campaigns. The Committee Against Sexual Harassment at NUS handles TFSV complaints alongside traditional misconduct.

NUS's OSHSG Symposium (Feb 2026) united stakeholders, emphasizing multi-platform strategies.

Challenges persist: varying platform policies and jurisdictional issues. Universities collaborate via the University Sexual Climate Survey, tracking trends annually.

Government and Legislative Measures

The Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Act (OSRA), passed November 2025, empowers the Online Safety Commission to mandate swift content removal and perpetrator disclosure. Minister Rahayu Mahzam highlighted AI misuse risks, urging platform-government partnerships.

IMDA's Code of Practice and POCA amendments target harms. AWARE's Solid Ground aids survivors. These victim-centric approaches complement education.

Prospective faculty can contribute via university jobs in policy or counseling.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Case Studies

Ms Sugidha Nithianathan (AWARE): 'Harms escalate across channels.' Ms Natalie Chia (SHE): 'Clashing definitions hinder action.' Dr Priyanka Bhalla stresses platform-local ties.

Real cases: Monica Baey (2018 NUS voyeurism) sparked reforms; recent deepfake incidents prompt OSRA use. SHE's 2025 study details survivor struggles like platform inaction.

Challenges: Normalization and Tech Evolution

Youth dismiss harms as 'normal' on dating apps, per CASMIDA. AI democratizes abuse, outpacing laws. Anonymity shields perpetrators; self-blame silences victims.

Solutions include digital literacy: step-by-step consent modules in curricula, bystander training.

Photo by Andy Wang on Unsplash

Pathways to Prevention and Support

Recommendations:

• Early consent education from primary levels.
• University-wide reporting apps with AI triage.
• Platform audits for Singapore harms.
• Peer support networks.
• Research funding for TFSV metrics.

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AWARE Singapore offers counseling.

Future Outlook for Safer Campuses

With OSRA implementation and university initiatives, Singapore leads regionally. Ongoing symposia and surveys promise data-driven progress. By fostering open dialogue, universities empower students, ensuring digital spaces enhance, not endanger, higher education.

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