The digital landscape, once envisioned as a borderless frontier for connection and empowerment, has increasingly morphed into a hazardous environment for women and girls across the globe. Technology-facilitated violence against women and girls (TF VAWG) is no longer a peripheral issue; it is a pervasive crisis that mirrors and amplifies the structural inequalities found in the physical world. Recent data reveals a staggering reality: between 16 and 58 per cent of women and girls have experienced some form of online violence. However, these figures only tell part of the story. For those navigating the intersections of discrimination—including women with disabilities, those from marginalized ethnic backgrounds, and younger girls—the digital world can become a concentrated site of targeted harassment. Furthermore, women in the public eye, particularly those in political and leadership roles, face a relentless barrage of abuse designed to silence their voices and drive them out of the public square.
As technology evolves, so too do the methods of harm. The rapid proliferation of digital tools has birthed a new era of "e-violence" that is as sophisticated as it is devastating. We are currently witnessing the rise of non-consensual intimate image sharing, a practice that has been weaponized through the use of generative artificial intelligence. The emergence of deepfakes—highly realistic but entirely fabricated images or videos—has given perpetrators a potent weapon to ruin reputations, destroy careers, and inflict profound psychological trauma. These are not merely "online" problems; they are systemic violations of privacy and dignity that carry lifelong consequences.
The architecture of social media platforms is also being exploited to disseminate gendered disinformation. This is not accidental; it is a calculated effort to fuel extreme misogyny and destabilize the progress made toward gender equality. Within the dark corners of the internet, predominantly male extremist groups and "incel" (involuntary celibate) communities foster an environment of radicalization. In these spaces, harmful rhetoric is normalized, and violent behavior against women is not only encouraged but celebrated. This online vitriol frequently bridges the gap into physical reality. In communities where rigid honor codes prevail, images or rumors posted online can serve as the catalyst for "honour-based" crimes, leading to physical assault or even death. The digital spark, in these instances, ignites a very real and often fatal fire.
In response to this escalating threat, the Secretary-General’s UNiTE campaign is issuing a clarion call for a fundamental shift in how we approach digital safety. The focus this year is clear: there must be a coordinated, swift, and effective police response to digital violence in all its forms. Addressing TF VAWG is no longer a matter for future policy debates; it is a matter of immediate urgency.
Law enforcement agencies serve as the primary line of defense against those who use technology as a weapon. When a victim of online abuse gathers the courage to come forward, their first point of contact—usually a police officer—is the most critical moment in their journey toward justice. If that initial interaction is dismissive or lacks understanding, the victim is likely to withdraw, leading to a breakdown in the justice system and a chilling effect on other survivors. Conversely, a supportive and professional response can protect the safety of the victim and prevent "secondary victimization," where the process of seeking help becomes as traumatic as the original abuse.
Central to an effective response is a deep understanding of the gravity of TF VAWG. It is a common misconception that online threats are less harmful than physical ones because they occur behind a screen. In reality, the persistent nature of digital harassment—the fact that it can follow a victim into their home, their workplace, and their pocket via a smartphone—creates a state of constant hyper-vigilance and prolonged psychological distress. The harm is not virtual; it is visceral.
While significant progress has been made, the global policing community must adopt a more victim-centered, trauma-informed, and context-led approach. This means moving beyond simply taking a report and instead actively connecting survivors with a holistic network of support, including specialized healthcare, legal aid, and social services. Furthermore, police must be equipped to provide practical guidance on digital hygiene, helping victims secure their online presence and reclaim their digital identities. Some pioneering nations have already begun implementing secure online reporting portals. These platforms allow victims to document evidence and report incidents in a safe environment, which has been shown to increase reporting rates among those who might otherwise be intimidated by a physical police station.
A fundamental principle must guide these efforts: victims and survivors should never be expected to carry the burden of managing the risks created by the technology itself. The responsibility for safety lies with the perpetrators, the platforms that host them, and the systems designed to regulate them. To this end, judicial systems and social media giants must be held to a higher standard of accountability.
Law enforcement officers are encouraged to utilize existing legislation—such as laws against stalking, harassment, or hate speech—to prosecute digital crimes even when specific "online violence" laws are still being drafted. There is also a pressing need for better cooperation between the police and tech companies. Law enforcement agencies must be proactive in demanding that platforms remove abusive content and share data that can identify perpetrators, particularly those who hide behind the veil of anonymity. In jurisdictions where the law lags behind technological advancement, police can look to international norms and best practices. This includes the establishment of specialized digital crime units or the creation of "e-safety commissioners"—dedicated officials who raise public awareness and oversee the digital safety landscape.
Training is another cornerstone of this evolution. Policing organizations require ongoing, flexible training that accounts for the cultural nuances and resource levels of different regions. It is not enough to have a general cybercrime unit; these specialized teams must also be trained through a gender-sensitive lens to recognize the specific dynamics of digital violence against women. They must understand how domestic abusers use tracking software, how stalkers use social media metadata, and how organized groups coordinate "pile-on" attacks to silence female activists.
TF VAWG is a global epidemic, and its eradication requires a multisectoral response. Police cannot work in a vacuum. They must establish robust partnerships with private tech firms, NGOs with technical expertise, and women’s rights organizations. These collaborations are essential for developing prevention-based digital safety tools and for launching community awareness campaigns that encourage the reporting of incidents before they escalate.
On the international stage, France is currently leading state-level efforts through the High-Level Network on Gender-Responsive Policing. This network, which currently includes twenty-two member states—ranging from Albania and Brazil to Rwanda and Sweden—is committed to institutionalizing gender-responsive strategies. Their mission is to strengthen the ability of police forces to prevent and respond to all forms of sexual and gender-based violence, ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable and that justice is accessible to all.
A representative from the French Ministry of the Interior recently highlighted the stakes of this mission, stating, “Online violence against women and girls—in all its newest forms—is rapidly escalating. We need to increase our understanding and knowledge of how this violence can impact victims and survivors in order to respond more effectively.” This sentiment underscores the philosophy that in the digital age, "every contact leaves a trace."
Positive engagement with law enforcement depends entirely on the ability of the system to take a woman’s complaint seriously. Every report must be met with an investigation that prioritizes the victim’s immediate safety, dignity, and privacy. The goal is simple but profound: to create a world where women and girls can navigate the digital sphere without fear, where their rights are protected by law, and where the technology meant to connect us is no longer used as a tool of oppression. The time to act against digital abuse is not in the future; it is now.
