The digital landscape, once envisioned as a frontier of liberation and connection, has increasingly become a site of profound risk for women and girls across the globe. Technology-facilitated violence against women and girls (TF VAWG) is no longer a niche concern of the tech-savvy; it is a pervasive human rights crisis that permeates every corner of the internet. Recent data highlights the staggering scale of this issue, with prevalence rates for online gender-based violence estimated to fall between 16 and 58 per cent. This spectrum of abuse does not strike at random. Instead, it disproportionately targets those already marginalized by society, including women and girls living with disabilities, those from diverse ethnic backgrounds, and individuals active in public and political life. For these women, the digital world is often a hostile environment where their voices are suppressed through systematic harassment and intimidation.
The evolution of digital tools has outpaced the development of social and legal safeguards, giving rise to new and increasingly disturbing forms of aggression. Among the most predatory of these developments is the rise of non-consensual intimate image-sharing, a practice that has been weaponized by the advent of generative artificial intelligence. The emergence of "deepfakes"—hyper-realistic but entirely fabricated images or videos created without the subject’s consent—has introduced a terrifying dimension to digital abuse. These tools allow perpetrators to inflict deep psychological and reputational harm with professional-grade precision, often leaving victims with little recourse in a world where "seeing is believing."
Beyond individual attacks, digital platforms are being utilized as breeding grounds for broader social harm. Gendered disinformation—the strategic spread of false or misleading information targeting women—is being used to fuel extreme misogyny and destabilize the progress of gender equality. This is particularly evident within certain online communities, such as those involving predominantly male extremist groups and "incel" (involuntary celibate) circles. In these digital echo chambers, harmful rhetoric against women and girls is not only normalized but encouraged, reinforcing violent behaviors that inevitably spill over from the virtual world into physical reality. In some cultures where rigid codes of family and community honor are strictly enforced, images posted online—whether real or manipulated—can serve as the direct impetus for "honor-based" crimes offline. The consequences of these digital triggers are often devastating, leading to physical assault, social ostracization, or even death.
In response to this escalating threat, the United Nations Secretary-General’s UNiTE campaign is this year focusing its efforts on a critical sector: law enforcement. The call is for a coordinated, swift, and effective police response to digital violence in all its manifestations. There is a growing consensus that addressing TF VAWG is not merely a policy goal but a matter of absolute urgency. Because law enforcement often serves as the first line of defense, the quality of a victim’s initial interaction with the police can determine their entire trajectory through the justice system. A supportive, professional, and serious response can empower a survivor to seek justice, while a dismissive or ill-informed encounter can lead to secondary victimization, causing the survivor to withdraw and leaving the perpetrator free to continue their abuse.
To mount an effective defense, police forces must first grasp the profound severity of the harm caused by digital violence. An online threat is rarely "just words" on a screen; for the victim, it can result in prolonged psychological distress, anxiety, and a permanent sense of insecurity. Understanding this trauma is central to building a response that prioritizes the safety and dignity of the survivor. While significant progress has been made in how some jurisdictions handle these crimes, there is an urgent need for a more standardized, victim-centered, and trauma-informed approach. This involves not only investigating the crime but also connecting survivors with a comprehensive network of support, including legal counsel, mental health services, and social assistance. Furthermore, police must be equipped to provide practical guidance to women on how to secure their digital presence and mitigate ongoing risks.
Innovation within law enforcement is already showing promise in several regions. Some countries have pioneered the use of secure online reporting portals, which allow victims to document abuse and submit evidence in a safe, controlled environment. These portals are essential for encouraging reporting, as many victims of online abuse feel a sense of shame or fear that prevents them from walking into a physical police station. By lowering the barriers to reporting, authorities can gather more accurate data on the prevalence of these crimes and identify patterns of behavior among repeat offenders.
However, the responsibility for safety should never rest solely on the shoulders of the victims. For too long, women have been told to "ignore the trolls" or "delete their accounts," effectively placing the burden of responding to technological risks on those being targeted. True accountability requires a systemic shift that includes judicial systems and social media conglomerates. Law enforcement agencies are being encouraged to utilize existing legislation—such as laws governing stalking, harassment, and hate speech—to prosecute digital offenders. In cases where specific laws regarding technology-facilitated violence are lacking, police are urged to look toward international norms and established best practices. This includes the creation of specialized digital violence investigation units or the appointment of e-safety Commissioners dedicated to raising awareness and streamlining the response to online harm.
The technical nature of these crimes also necessitates a shift in how police are trained. Cybercrime units, which have traditionally focused on financial fraud or data breaches, must now be trained to recognize and respond to the gendered nuances of digital violence. Training must be flexible and ongoing, reflecting the rapid pace of technological change and the specific cultural contexts in which different police organizations operate. It is no longer enough for a police officer to understand how to trace an IP address; they must also understand the dynamics of domestic abuse and how those dynamics manifest in digital spaces.
Because TF VAWG is a global phenomenon that transcends national borders, the solution must be equally expansive and multisectoral. Police organizations are being encouraged to forge partnerships with private sector stakeholders, including tech giants and social media platforms. These companies hold the keys to the data and the content-moderation tools necessary to identify anonymous perpetrators and remove abusive material. Partnerships with non-governmental organizations and women’s rights groups are also vital, as these organizations often possess the tech expertise and the trust of the community needed to drive prevention-based digital safety initiatives.
Leading this international charge is France, which is currently spearheading efforts within the High-Level Network on Gender-Responsive Policing. This network has grown to include twenty-two committed 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 pledged to advance policing strategies that are inherently sensitive to gender dynamics, focusing on strengthening institutional capacity and ensuring that perpetrators of all forms of sexual and gender-based violence are held accountable.
The urgency of this mission was underscored by a representative from the French Ministry of the Interior, who noted: “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 reflects a growing global realization that the digital world cannot remain a "wild west" where women are targeted with impunity.
Ultimately, the goal of these reforms is to ensure that every interaction between a survivor and the law is a positive one. In the world of forensics, there is a principle that "every contact leaves a trace." This is equally true for the human heart. When a woman or girl reports digital abuse, the police have a singular opportunity to provide safety, preserve dignity, and restore a sense of justice. By taking these complaints seriously, investigating them thoroughly, and providing the necessary support, law enforcement can send a clear message: digital abuse will not be tolerated, and the internet will not be a sanctuary for those who seek to harm women. The time to act to stop digital abuse is now, ensuring that the technology of the future is used to empower, rather than endanger, women and girls everywhere.
