The rapid expansion of the digital world has fundamentally altered the way we communicate, learn, and work, offering countless opportunities for personal and professional growth. However, with these benefits come significant challenges—particularly for women and girls, who are increasingly falling victim to a new form of violence: cyber violence. Recent studies show that between 16% and 58% of women and girls worldwide have experienced some form of online abuse, making cyber violence an urgent and growing threat that demands immediate attention.
The Evolution of Cyber violence
Gender-based violence is not a new issue, but its migration to the digital realm has amplified both its frequency and impact. Early forms of cyber violence emerged with the rise of email and chat rooms, where women were subjected to cyber stalking and harassment. As social media platforms gained popularity, these threats grew in scope, offering perpetrators new tools to intimidate, exploit, and harm on a global scale.
By the 2010s, the rise of image-based abuse, often referred to as “revenge porn,” marked a disturbing new chapter in the evolution of cyber violence. The non-consensual sharing of intimate images, usually as a form of retaliation or control, became a devastating weapon against women. With the permanence and viral nature of the internet, victims found themselves trapped in a cycle of ongoing suffering.
In 2017, the EU estimated that 1 in 10 women had experienced some form of online violence. This issue was further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced individuals to rely even more on digital spaces, leading to an alarming increase in online harassment and abuse.
Forms of Cyber violence Against Women and Girls
Cyber violence takes many forms, all of which have severe consequences for the victims. Some of the most common types of online abuse include:
Online Harassment: This encompasses verbal abuse, trolling, and targeted threats aimed at silencing or intimidating women.
Image-Based Abuse (Revenge Porn): The non-consensual sharing of private images to humiliate or control.
Doxxing: The public release of private information such as addresses or phone numbers, often leading to real-world harm.
Sextortion: Coercing victims into providing intimate images or favors under the threat of public exposure.
Cyberstalking: Persistent monitoring or contact that causes fear and anxiety.
Deepfake Pornography: The creation of fake explicit content using a person’s likeness for exploitation or blackmail.
Gender-Based Hate Speech: The spread of misogynistic content aimed at degrading women.
Cyberflashing: The unsolicited sending of explicit images via messaging apps or social media.
COVID-19 and the Surge of Cyber violence
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic marked a turning point in the prevalence of cyber violence. With social distancing measures and lockdowns in place, digital platforms became essential for communication, education, and work. Unfortunately, this reliance on technology created more opportunities for abuse. UN Women’s Rapid Gender Assessment during the pandemic revealed that online harassment, image-based abuse, and cyber stalking all saw significant increases. In the UK alone, 38% of women reported experiencing heightened online abuse during the lockdowns.
The pandemic also exposed the structural vulnerabilities within digital spaces, particularly for women and girls. The lack of effective regulatory frameworks allowed perpetrators to operate with impunity, while victims often felt powerless, unable to escape the abuse.
Grassroots Activism: The Case of #StopFisha
In France, a troubling phenomenon known as “fisha” emerged, referring to accounts on platforms like Telegram and Snapchat that shared non-consensual intimate images of women and girls. These accounts, often containing personal identifying information, exposed victims to harassment and danger. The issue gained widespread attention during the COVID-19 lockdown, as online activity surged.
In response, 17 year-old activist Shanley Clemot McLaren launched the #StopFisha campaign to combat image-based sexual abuse and online gendered violence. Her efforts led to the creation of a formal association aimed at tracking and reporting “fisha” accounts, offering legal and psychological support to victims, and raising awareness about cyber violence. Through this grassroots movement, #StopFisha has played a critical role in pushing for legal reforms and influencing policy in France, including the criminalization of sextortion and deep fake sexual abuse.
Implications for Victims
The psychological toll of cyber violence is profound. Victims often experience anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with many feeling trapped by the permanent nature of online content. The impact on young people is particularly severe, as exposure to such abuse disrupts their education and social development. Financially, sextortion can devastate victims, who may be coerced into paying extortion demands under threat of public exposure.
The Way Forward: Legal and Social Change
Addressing cyberviolence requires coordinated efforts on multiple fronts. New legislation, such as the EU’s Directive on Combating Violence Against Women (adopted in May 2024), criminalizes online forms of gender-based violence and mandates preventive measures, victim protection, and enhanced cooperation between authorities. Social media platforms also have a responsibility to improve content moderation, reduce harmful content through algorithms, and collaborate with law enforcement.
Ultimately, a multi-faceted approach—including stronger legal frameworks, enhanced digital literacy, and accessible victim support systems—is necessary to ensure women and girls can participate in the digital world without fear of harm. By tackling the legal, technological, and social dimensions of cyberviolence, we can create a safer, more inclusive online environment for all.
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