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Understanding Cyber Violence Against Women and Girls
Digital spaces have become sites of harm, control, and exclusion for many women and girls. Understanding this violence is the first step toward meaningful change.
Cyber violence against women and girls (cyVAWG)
refers to gender-based abuse, harassment, coercion, or intimidation that is carried out, enabled, or amplified through digital technologies.
This includes acts that
Target women and girls because of their gender
the violence is rooted in gender inequality, discrimination, and harmful stereotypes
Take place in online or digital environments
through social media, messaging apps, gaming platforms, smart devices, or any networked technology
Result in physical, sexual, psychological, social, or economic harm
the impact extends far beyond the screen
CyVAWG is not separate from offline violence.
It is part of the same continuum of violence against women and girls, recognized by international human rights frameworks including the Council of Europe Istanbul Convention.
What is Cyber Violence Against Women and Girls?
Why cyVAWG is a Serious Issue
Violence Against Women Remains Widespread
Violence against women and girls remains persistent and widespread, both online and offline. The scale of this issue is staggering.
20%
of all recorded crime in England and Wales is violence against women and girls
103,000+
rape and serious sexual offences recorded by police in the year ending March 2023
Every 3 Days
a woman is killed by a man in the UK
Source: UK Policing Data (NPCC)
While men and boys can also experience abuse, evidence consistently shows that women are disproportionately affected, particularly by sexual and gendered forms of violence.
Digital Technologies Have Extended This Violence
Digital technologies have not reduced violence against women and girls. In many cases, they have extended it into new spaces, creating environments where harm can:
Happen at scale
one person can harass hundreds or thousands
Cross physical boundaries
abuse follows women across countries, cities, and into their homes
Persist over time
content can be shared indefinitely, creating permanent records of abuse
Follow women into private spaces
their homes, workplaces, and personal relationships
The Numbers Tell a Stark Story
58%
of girls have experienced online harassment
50%
of girls report experiencing more harassment online than on the street
1 in 10
women globally is estimated to have experienced cyber violence since the age of 15
46%
of women who experienced online abuse said it was misogynistic or sexist
Source: Plan International, World Health Organization, and Amnesty International
These figures demonstrate that CyVAWG is not rare, trivial, or confined to extreme cases. It is a pervasive reality for women and girls navigating digital spaces.
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