For more than two decades, Marina* lived a life defined by the suffocating rhythm of physical and emotional abuse. Like many survivors of domestic violence, she reached a point where the survival of her children and herself outweighed the fear of leaving. In the fall of 2021, after 22 years of marriage, she finally walked out, seeking the sanctuary of a new home and the finality of a divorce. But as she soon discovered, the end of a marriage does not always signal the end of a predator’s reach. In the digital age, the walls of a new apartment offer little protection against a person determined to use technology as a weapon.
Marina’s nightmare did not vanish; it simply migrated from the physical realm to the digital one. She became the subject of a relentless campaign of surveillance. Her ex-husband, refusing to relinquish control, allegedly hired a third party to shadow her movements, filming her without consent and tracking her every step. The harassment then escalated into the digital ether. Fake social media profiles appeared, bearing her name and image, designed to humiliate her by suggesting she was involved in the sex trade. Death threats began arriving through her devices, turning her phone—a tool for connection—into a source of constant, vibrating terror. Under the legal framework currently in place in Moldova, these acts are often dismissed as mere misdemeanors, punishable by nothing more than a nominal fine that many perpetrators view simply as the “cost of doing business.”
However, a legislative revolution is on the horizon. Starting February 14, 2026, the Republic of Moldova will implement a series of landmark legal amendments designed to dismantle the impunity of digital abusers. This new legal framework represents a fundamental shift in how the state perceives and punishes technology-facilitated violence. For the first time, stalking will be recognized as a distinct criminal offense. Perpetrators could face up to two years in prison, a sentence that increases to three years if the abuser is a family member. These changes are not merely symbolic; they provide law enforcement with the teeth necessary to bite back against a form of violence that has, for too long, been treated as a secondary concern.
The necessity of this law is underscored by a sobering reality: digital violence is not a niche issue in Moldova. Recent data indicates that a staggering 65 percent of women aged 18 and older who are active online have experienced some form of digital abuse in their lifetime. Whether it is the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, relentless trolling, or the use of GPS trackers and spyware, the digital world has become a primary frontier for gender-based violence. The upcoming amendments provide a clear, comprehensive definition of digital violence, categorizing it as any act of harm committed via information technology or electronic communications. Furthermore, the law introduces the concept of “abusive content data,” which includes sexist, defamatory, or obscene materials, creating a concrete legal basis for prosecuting those who use the internet to destroy a woman’s reputation or mental health.
This legislative victory is the culmination of an intensive, multi-sectoral collaboration. It reflects the combined will of the Moldovan Parliament, the National Agency for the Prevention and Combating of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (ANPCV), and international partners including UN Women, UNFPA, and the Council of Europe. It is a testament to the advocacy of civil society organizations that have spent years highlighting the gap between traditional laws and the modern reality of tech-based harassment.
Viorica Șimbalari, the Director of the ANPCV, views these changes as an essential evolution of the social contract. She emphasizes that safety in the modern era cannot be bifurcated into “online” and “offline” spheres. To be safe in one’s home, one must also be safe on one’s phone. Șimbalari notes that while digital violence presents a unique challenge for the current generation, it also offers an opportunity for the justice system to demonstrate that empathy and respect are values that must evolve alongside technological progress. The Agency is already looking toward 2026, with plans to launch specialized training programs for the entire judicial chain—from first-responding police officers to the judges who will ultimately hand down these new, more stringent sentences.
While the law provides the framework for justice, the journey for survivors remains arduous. Recognizing this, UN Women, with support from the Government of Denmark, has prioritized the provision of free legal aid to ensure that the law is accessible to those who need it most. In the town of Soroca, the Dacia Centre has become a beacon for women like Marina, offering the legal counseling and courtroom representation that they could never otherwise afford. For Marina, this support was nothing short of a “lifeline.” Having been pushed to the brink of her emotional and financial limits, she admitted that she had nearly lost hope that anyone would stand by her side without a fee.
Tatiana Vicol-Felișcan, a human rights lawyer at the Dacia Centre, has seen firsthand how psychological and digital violence act as precursors or companions to physical harm. She points out that psychological abuse is often the most pervasive form of violence, yet it remains the most difficult for victims to identify and for the public to acknowledge. In the modern context, this abuse is almost always amplified by online blackmail or intimidation. Vicol-Felișcan argues that while the new laws are a massive step forward, their success depends on a culture of sensitivity within the legal system. Survivors must be able to testify without the fear of being re-traumatized by the very people meant to protect them. She advocates for the expanded use of video hearings, which allow women to face their legal battles without the physical presence of their abusers.
The urgency of these protections was highlighted by a tragic escalation in Marina’s own case. Only a month ago, despite her efforts to separate and seek legal recourse, she was physically attacked by her husband once more. The assault left her with severe head injuries, rendering her unable to work and plunging her into further instability. It is a stark reminder that digital stalking is often a prelude to physical violence. Without the free legal assistance provided by the Dacia Centre, Marina’s ability to continue her divorce and seek a protective order would have vanished alongside her health.
The 2026 amendments also take a hard line against sexual harassment, particularly in digital spaces. The new penalties are significant: offenders face fines of up to USD 3,000, hundreds of hours of community service, or up to four years in prison—doubling the current maximum. In cases where the victim is a minor, the state’s message is even clearer, with potential sentences reaching seven years. Dominika Stojanoska, the UN Women Moldova Country Representative, describes these measures as a reflection of Moldova’s commitment to the dignity and freedom of its female citizens. She stresses that the next phase—implementation—is where the real work begins. The legal framework is the skeleton; the training of officials and the changing of public attitudes will be the muscle that makes it function.
Ultimately, the goal of these laws is to spark a profound shift in the national consciousness. For decades, survivors of online abuse have been told to “just turn off the computer” or “ignore the messages,” as if the violence were a choice they were making by participating in modern life. The new legislation rejects this victim-blaming narrative. It places the shame and the legal burden exactly where they belong: on the aggressor.
Marina, though still healing from her injuries and navigating the complexities of her legal battle, hopes her story serves as a catalyst for others. She wants every woman in Moldova to know that digital violence is not a private grievance to be endured in silence—it is a crime. Her journey from victimhood to advocacy is a powerful reminder that when the law evolves to protect the vulnerable, it does more than just punish; it empowers.
As the world marks the “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence,” the global community is rallying under the banner of #NoExcuse. The digital world should be a space for innovation, education, and connection, not a minefield of control. Moldova’s legislative leap forward serves as a model for how nations can reclaim digital spaces for women and girls, ensuring that the progress of technology never outpaces the progress of human rights. For Marina, and for the thousands of women like her, the year 2026 cannot come soon enough. Until then, the work of supporting survivors and preparing the justice system continues, one case and one life at a time.
