Growing crisis of digital violence against women in Western countries

Digital violence against women in Western nations—including the U.S., Canada, European countries, and Australia—has been identified as one of the fastest-growing forms of gender-based violence in 2025.

According to UN reports, 38% of women worldwide have experienced online violence, with rates even higher in Western countries.

Artificial intelligence and user anonymity have exacerbated this violence, which includes online harassment, cyberstalking, non-consensual image sharing, and sexual deepfakes.

In Western countries, 44% of women and girls lack full legal protection from such abuse, leading to decreased participation of women in digital spaces.

The European Commission reports that digital violence against women in the EU in 2025 has emerged as a serious threat to democracy. Over 30% of women politicians in Europe have experienced online violence during their political careers, including death threats, coordinated attacks, and gender-based misinformation. This has led to women comprising less than a third of local politicians in some countries, reducing their participation.

In November 2025, the European Commission reaffirmed its commitment to eradicating digital violence, launching a joint hotline for victim support based on the Istanbul Convention and the comprehensive Gender-Based Violence Act of 2024.

Meanwhile, 23% of women aged 18–55 in European countries such as Denmark, Italy, Poland, Spain, and Sweden reported experiencing online harassment.

The UN Development Programme reports that digital violence against women has also increased in the U.S. and Canada in 2025, particularly affecting women in public roles. 23% of women aged 18–55 in the U.S. reported online harassment or attacks, with female journalists facing a rate as high as 73%.

Canada, as part of the Global Partnership for Action Against Online Gender-Based Harassment, focuses on preventive programs, though legal gaps persist.

The UN report shows that 95% of online deepfake content depicts non-consensual explicit images of women, with higher rates in North America. Efforts include digital literacy training and collaboration with tech platforms to remove harmful content, yet fewer than 10% of women seek legal help.

In Australia, digital violence against women in 2025 has caused an economic cost of $3.7 billion and is recognized as a common channel for gender-based harassment. The Online Safety Act has been updated to tackle harmful content, with special attention to women with disabilities. In November 2025, the Australian government emphasized the need for investment in prevention and platform accountability.