Breaking the Virtual Chains: Moldova’s Landmark Stand Against Tech-Facilitated Abuse
For over two decades, Marina* lived a life defined by the shadows of domestic terror. For 22 years, she endured a cycle of physical and emotional violence at the hands of her husband, a reality that only reached a tipping point this past autumn. Seeking a future defined by safety rather than fear, the mother of two made the harrowing decision to leave the marital home and initiate divorce proceedings. But as she soon discovered, the end of a marriage does not always signal the end of an obsession. While she physically separated from her abuser in 2021, the violence did not vanish; it merely evolved, migrating from the physical world into the digital frontier.
Marina’s experience serves as a chilling blueprint for modern domestic abuse. No longer confined to the four walls of a home, her harasser utilized technology to maintain a suffocating grip on her life. She was surveilled and stalked by third parties hired by her husband, filmed without her consent, and subjected to a relentless barrage of death threats. The digital invasion took a more sinister turn when fake social media profiles were created in her name, maliciously claiming she provided sexual services. This form of “image-based abuse” was designed to destroy her reputation and isolate her from her community. Under Moldova’s current legal framework, however, these digital assaults are often minimized. Threats delivered via a screen are frequently categorized as mere misdemeanors, allowing perpetrators to walk away after paying a nominal fine—a price many abusers consider well worth the cost of continued control.
However, a legislative revolution is on the horizon. Starting February 14, 2026, the Republic of Moldova will enact landmark legal amendments designed to dismantle the impunity currently enjoyed by digital abusers. This new legal architecture will, for the first time, provide robust, criminal-level protection for women and girls facing technology-facilitated violence. Under the new laws, stalking will be elevated to a criminal offense. Those found guilty face up to two years in prison, a sentence that increases to three years if the perpetrator is a family member. The scope of the law is deliberately broad, covering the use of tech tools for harassment, repeated unwanted contact through any medium, and the monitoring of a person’s home or workplace through both physical and online means.
The necessity of this shift cannot be overstated. In Moldova, the digital space has become a primary battlefield for gender-based violence. Statistics reveal a staggering reality: approximately 65 percent of women aged 18 and older who are active online have experienced some form of digital violence in their lifetime. That is nearly two out of every three women. Until now, the legal system lacked the vocabulary to address these crimes, often leaving victims to navigate their trauma without recourse. The upcoming amendments fill this void by providing a concrete legal definition of digital violence: any act of harm committed through information technologies or electronic communications.
Furthermore, the law introduces the concept of “abusive content data.” This definition encompasses discriminatory, sexist, threatening, obscene, or defamatory digital materials, creating a clear and enforceable basis for prosecution. This legislative milestone is the culmination of a massive, multi-sectoral collaboration involving the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, the National Agency for the Prevention and Combating of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (ANPCV), UN Women, UNFPA, the Council of Europe, and various civil society organizations.
Viorica Șimbalari, Director of the ANPCV, emphasizes that this law is about more than just punishment—it is about the fundamental right to exist safely in the modern world. “For us, ensuring safety in the digital space means expanding the concept of safety into every sphere of life,” Șimbalari stated. She views the rise of digital violence as a defining challenge of the 21st century, but also as a catalyst for legal evolution. “Digital violence is a challenge of our time, but also an opportunity to show that justice, empathy, and respect can evolve along with technology.” To ensure the law isn’t just words on paper, the Agency is preparing an extensive training program for 2026, targeting police officers, investigators, prosecutors, and judges to ensure they are equipped to handle the technical nuances of digital evidence.
While the law works toward systemic change, immediate support remains a lifeline for survivors like Marina. Through a project spearheaded by UN Women and funded by the Government of Denmark, the Dacia Centre in Soroca has become a sanctuary for those seeking justice. The center provides free legal counseling and courtroom representation, a service that is often the only thing standing between a survivor and total destitution. For Marina, who had reached the absolute limit of her endurance, the assistance was transformative. “This support was a lifeline,” she shared. “I was at the end of my strength. I couldn’t believe that someone would help me for free.”
Tatiana Vicol-Felișcan, a human rights lawyer at the DACIA NGO, has witnessed the rising tide of tech-facilitated abuse firsthand. She notes that psychological violence, while often invisible, is the most pervasive form of abuse she encounters. In the modern era, this psychological warfare is almost always tethered to online intimidation or blackmail. Vicol-Felișcan is optimistic about the 2026 changes but remains pragmatic about the hurdles ahead. She advocates for the expanded use of video hearings, which allow survivors to testify without the re-traumatizing experience of being in the same room as their abuser. “They must feel heard and protected, not judged,” she insists.
The urgency of these protections is underscored by the ongoing physical danger Marina faces. Only a month ago, the violence escalated back into the physical realm when her husband attacked her again, inflicting serious head injuries. The assault has left her unable to work, making the free legal aid from the Dacia Centre the only reason she can continue her divorce proceedings. Her story is a grim reminder that digital stalking is rarely an isolated incident; it is frequently a precursor or a companion to physical battery.
In addition to stalking, the new legislative package takes a hard line against sexual harassment. Penalties for these offenses, including those occurring in digital spaces, are set to increase significantly. Offenders will face fines of up to USD 3,000, hundreds of hours of community service, or up to four years in prison—effectively doubling the previous maximum sentence. In cases where the victim is a minor, the severity of the crime is recognized with sentences of up to seven years.
Dominika Stojanoska, UN Women Moldova Country Representative, sees these amendments as a reflection of the nation’s growing commitment to the dignity of its female citizens. “These amendments reflect Moldova’s strong commitment to protecting the dignity, freedom, and safety of women and girls, including in the digital space,” Stojanoska said. She stressed that the next phase—implementation—is where the real work begins, requiring a cultural shift among those in the judicial and law enforcement sectors.
Ultimately, the goal of these laws is to spark a profound change in societal mindsets. For too long, the burden of shame has rested on the shoulders of the victims rather than the perpetrators. Marina hopes that by bringing these crimes into the light, more women will feel empowered to speak out. “I wish more women knew that digital violence is also violence and that they can get help for free,” she says. Through her journey with legal counseling, she has reclaimed her narrative. “I understood that it’s not me who should feel ashamed—it’s the aggressor.”
As the world observes the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” from November 25 to December 10, the UNiTE campaign is calling for global action under the theme #NoExcuse. The message is clear: the digital world should be a tool for empowerment, not a minefield of control. Moldova’s legislative leap forward serves as a beacon of hope, proving that even as technology creates new avenues for abuse, the law can—and must—evolve to close them.
*The name has been changed to protect the identity and safety of the survivor.*
