In the modern era, the boundary between the physical and digital worlds has become increasingly porous, creating a landscape where the safety of women and girls is constantly under siege. Technology-facilitated violence against women and girls, often referred to by the acronym TF VAWG, has emerged as a pervasive global crisis, with data suggesting that between 16 and 58 per cent of women have experienced some form of online abuse. While the internet was once envisioned as a democratizing force for communication and empowerment, it has simultaneously become a conduit for harassment, stalking, and systemic degradation. This digital epidemic does not strike at random; it disproportionately targets those already marginalized by age, disability, or ethnicity, and serves as a targeted weapon against women in public and political life, aiming to silence their voices and drive them from the town square.
As digital tools become more sophisticated, so too do the methods of the perpetrators. We are no longer dealing solely with hateful comments or unwanted messages; the rise of generative artificial intelligence has ushered in a disturbing new era of non-consensual intimate image-sharing. The creation of "deepfakes"—hyper-realistic but entirely fabricated images or videos—allows abusers to violate a woman’s bodily autonomy without ever touching her. These digital assaults carry profound psychological weight, often causing the same level of trauma as physical violence. For many victims, the realization that their likeness has been weaponized in such a permanent and public way leads to a sense of total exposure and a loss of control over their own identity.
Beyond individual attacks, digital platforms are increasingly being exploited to disseminate gendered disinformation. This is not merely "fake news" but a calculated effort to spread falsehoods about women in leadership, activists, and journalists to undermine their credibility and incite hostility. This trend is fueled by a growing ecosystem of extreme misogyny found in predominantly male extremist circles, including the "incel" (involuntary celibate) subculture. Within these digital enclaves, harmful rhetoric is not just shared; it is celebrated. The ideology shared in these spaces often serves as a precursor to real-world violence, reinforcing aggressive behaviors that transcend the screen. In some communities where strict family and community honor codes are prevalent, an image posted online—regardless of its authenticity—can become the impetus for "honour-based" crimes. The consequences of these digital triggers are often devastating and, in the most extreme cases, fatal.
Recognizing the severity of this threat, the Secretary-General’s UNiTE campaign has pivoted its focus toward the urgent need for a coordinated, swift, and effective law enforcement response. The message is clear: addressing digital violence is not a luxury or a secondary concern; it is a matter of life and death. Law enforcement agencies serve as the first line of defense against perpetrators, and their actions—or lack thereof—can determine the long-term safety and recovery of a survivor. When a woman or girl makes the difficult decision to report online abuse, her initial contact with the police is a pivotal moment. A dismissive or ill-informed response can lead to secondary victimization, where the survivor feels blamed or ignored by the very system designed to protect her. Conversely, a professional, empathetic, and technically competent response can provide the necessary foundation for her to navigate the justice system and reclaim her sense of security.
To meet this challenge, police departments must evolve. Understanding the true severity of TF VAWG is the first step. Law enforcement officers must be trained to recognize that an online threat is not "just words"; it is a precursor to physical harm and a source of prolonged psychological distress. Building on recent global progress, experts are calling for a victim-centered, trauma-informed approach. This means that when a report is filed, the priority is the survivor’s well-being and privacy. Such an approach involves connecting women with a holistic network of support, including healthcare providers, legal counsel, and social services. Furthermore, police must be equipped to provide practical guidance on digital hygiene, helping survivors secure their online presence and prevent further intrusions. Some innovative jurisdictions have already begun implementing secure online reporting portals, which lower the barrier for victims to come forward and ensure that evidence is preserved in a way that is admissible in court.
A fundamental tenet of this movement is that victims and survivors should never have to assume the burden of responding to the risks created by technological tools. For too long, the advice given to women has been to "delete your account" or "ignore the trolls." This places the responsibility for safety on the victim rather than the perpetrator or the platforms that enable the abuse. To change this dynamic, judicial systems and social media giants must be held to a higher standard of accountability. While some regions lack specific legislation targeting TF VAWG, police are being encouraged to utilize existing laws against stalking, harassment, and hate speech to build their cases. There is also a growing push for law enforcement to proactively engage with digital platforms to ensure the swift removal of abusive content and to compel the disclosure of information that can identify anonymous harassers.
In regions where legal frameworks are still catching up to technological advancements, police organizations can look to international norms and best practices. This includes the establishment of specialized cyber-investigation units dedicated specifically to gender-related crimes. Some countries have pioneered the role of "e-safety Commissioners"—independent offices that raise public awareness, provide education on digital safety, and act as a bridge between the public, the police, and tech companies. Education, however, must start within the force. Ongoing, flexible training is required to help cybercrime units understand the gendered nature of digital violence. It is not enough to know how to track an IP address; officers must understand the social dynamics and power imbalances that drive these crimes.
Because TF VAWG is a borderless problem, the response must be equally global and multisectoral. Police organizations are being encouraged to form strategic partnerships with private tech firms, NGOs with technical expertise, and grassroots women’s rights organizations. These collaborations are essential for developing prevention-based digital safety measures and for ensuring that the voices of survivors are heard during the policy-making process. By raising awareness within local communities, these partnerships can encourage earlier intervention and foster a culture where digital abuse is taken as seriously as any other form of assault.
Leading the charge on the international stage is France, which has taken a prominent role within the High-Level Network on Gender-Responsive Policing. This network currently comprises twenty-two countries—Albania, Austria, Brazil, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Iceland, Latvia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Niger, Peru, Romania, Rwanda, Senegal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Uruguay. These nations have formally committed to advancing a policing model that prioritizes the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence in all its forms. Their collective goal is to strengthen institutions, ensure perpetrator accountability, and create a world where women can navigate both physical and digital spaces without fear.
A representative from the French Ministry of the Interior recently highlighted the urgency 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 reality that as technology evolves, so must our strategies for protection. The "traces" left by digital contact are not just data points; they are evidence of a crime that requires a serious and dignified investigative response.
Ultimately, the fight against technology-facilitated violence is a fight for the fundamental rights of women and girls to participate in modern society. When women are harassed into silence online, democracy itself is weakened. By ensuring that law enforcement is prepared to treat every complaint with the seriousness it deserves, we can begin to shift the tide. The goal is a future where the digital world is a space for connection and growth, rather than a playground for abuse. The time to act against digital abuse is now, ensuring that every woman and girl is afforded the safety, dignity, and privacy she deserves, regardless of the platform she chooses to use.
