The digital world, once envisioned as a space for liberation and connection, has increasingly become a primary theater for gender-based harassment and assault. Recent data highlights a staggering reality: technology-facilitated violence against women and girls (TF VAWG) now affects between 16 and 58 per cent of women and girls globally. This is not a niche issue or a series of isolated incidents; it is a systemic crisis that mirrors and magnifies traditional forms of abuse. As the digital landscape evolves, the mechanisms of violence have become more sophisticated, leaving law enforcement, judicial systems, and tech platforms scrambling to keep pace. The urgency of this issue has taken center stage during this year’s UNiTE campaign, a global initiative led by the UN Secretary-General, which calls for an immediate, coordinated, and effective response from police forces worldwide to stem the tide of digital abuse.
The burden of this violence is not distributed equally. While any woman can be a target, those who navigate the world at the intersection of multiple forms of discrimination—including women with disabilities, women of color, and younger girls—are disproportionately targeted. Furthermore, women in public-facing roles, such as politicians, journalists, and human rights defenders, face a relentless barrage of online hostility designed to silence their voices and drive them out of the public sphere. For these women, the internet is often a hostile environment where their professional contributions are overshadowed by gendered attacks on their character and safety.
The evolution of technology has introduced terrifying new tools into the hands of perpetrators. The rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) has paved the way for the creation of deepfakes—highly realistic but entirely fabricated images or videos. In many cases, this technology is weaponized to produce non-consensual intimate imagery, a form of digital assault that can devastate a victim’s reputation, mental health, and personal life. These are not merely "fake" images; they are instruments of control and humiliation that carry very real consequences in the physical world.
Beyond individual attacks, digital platforms have become breeding grounds for broader social harms. Extremist ideologies, particularly those found in "incel" (involuntary celibate) communities and other predominantly male extremist groups, use the internet to spread gendered disinformation and fuel extreme misogyny. These online echo chambers do more than just host hateful rhetoric; they reinforce violent behaviors that frequently spill over into the offline world. In communities where rigid codes of family and community "honour" are prevalent, the simple act of posting an image online—whether consensual or not—can serve as the impetus for "honour-based" crimes. The digital trace becomes a catalyst for physical violence, sometimes with fatal results, proving that the boundary between the virtual and the physical is increasingly porous.
In this landscape, law enforcement agencies serve as the critical first line of defense. The initial interaction between a survivor and the police is a pivotal moment that determines the trajectory of her journey through the justice system. When a woman or girl reports digital violence, the seriousness with which her complaint is handled can either empower her to seek justice or lead to secondary victimization—a process where the system itself inflicts further trauma through skepticism or dismissal. Understanding that an online threat can cause the same level of prolonged psychological distress as a physical one is essential for any modern police force.
To bridge the gap between current practices and the needs of survivors, a paradigm shift in policing is required. This involves adopting a victim-centered, trauma-informed, and context-led approach. It is no longer enough to simply take a statement; police must be equipped to connect survivors with a holistic network of support, including specialized health, legal, and social services. Furthermore, law enforcement must provide practical guidance on how victims can secure their digital presence to prevent ongoing harassment. Some nations are already leading the way by implementing secure online reporting portals. These platforms provide a safe, accessible way for survivors to document abuse, which is a vital step in increasing reporting rates for crimes that often go unpunished.
However, the responsibility cannot rest solely on the shoulders of the victims or the police. There is a profound need for accountability among judicial systems and social media giants. Victims should never be expected to manage the risks created by the very tools that are being used against them. Police forces must be empowered to use existing legislation—such as laws governing stalking, harassment, or hate speech—to prosecute digital offenders. Simultaneously, there must be a more robust dialogue between law enforcement and tech companies. Platforms must be held accountable for removing abusive content swiftly and sharing information that can help identify perpetrators, particularly those who hide behind the cloak of anonymity.
In jurisdictions where legislation has not yet caught up with the speed of technological change, police organizations are encouraged to look toward international norms and established best practices. This includes the creation of specialized units dedicated to investigating digital crimes and the appointment of e-safety commissioners who can focus on public awareness and prevention. Ongoing, flexible training is paramount. Cybercrime units, which have traditionally focused on financial fraud or data breaches, must be retrained to recognize and respond to the unique dynamics of gender-related digital violence.
The global nature of the internet means that TF VAWG cannot be solved by any one nation in isolation. It requires a multisectoral response that brings together governments, private tech stakeholders, non-governmental organizations, and women’s rights advocates. By fostering these partnerships, societies can move toward a model of prevention-based digital safety. Raising community awareness and encouraging the reporting of incidents are essential components of an early intervention strategy that stops violence before it escalates.
France has emerged as a prominent leader in this global effort, spearheading initiatives within the High-Level Network on Gender-Responsive Policing. This network currently comprises twenty-two committed countries, including Albania, Austria, Brazil, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Niger, Peru, Romania, Rwanda, Senegal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Uruguay. These nations have pledged to strengthen their institutions and ensure that perpetrator accountability is a central pillar of their justice systems.
A representative from the French Ministry of the Interior emphasized the gravity of the situation, 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." For law enforcement, the goal is to ensure that the trace left by the police is one of support, dignity, and justice.
The fight against technology-facilitated violence is a fight for the fundamental right of women and girls to exist safely in every space they inhabit, whether that space is a physical street or a digital platform. The message from the international community is clear: the time for reactive measures is over. To protect the next generation, the world must act now to dismantle the digital infrastructure of abuse and hold those who weaponize technology accountable. Stopping digital abuse is not just a matter of policy; it is a matter of urgent human rights.
