Seven in ten women human rights defenders, activists and journalists report online violence, according to a recent report by the European Commission and UN Women’s ACT to End Violence against Women programme. The report, Tipping point: The chilling escalation of violence against women in the public sphere, highlights that 70% of surveyed women have experienced online abuse linked to their work, with 41% reporting offline harm associated with this digital harassment.
This surge of digital violence not only threatens individual safety but also jeopardizes democracy and free expression worldwide.
Growing Offline Harm Linked to Online Abuse
For women journalists, the dangers are intensifying. A 2020 UNESCO global survey found that 20% associated their offline attacks with online violence. The new 2025 report shows this figure more than doubled to 42%. This increased risk represents a dangerous convergence of virtual and real-world violence.
Sarah Hendricks of UN Women stresses, “Online abuse is real violence with real consequences, silencing women and undermining democracy by pushing them out of public discourse.”
The Role of AI in Digital Violence
The report also reveals that nearly one in four women activists and journalists has faced AI-assisted online violence, including deepfake images and manipulated content. Public communicators focusing on human rights issues experience the highest exposure at 30%.
This alarming trend reflects how emerging technologies are amplifying and complicating gender-based violence online.
Calls for Stronger Policies and Support Systems
As the global campaign, 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, concludes, advocates demand enhanced protection measures. These include recognizing technology-facilitated violence as a human rights violation, enforcing accountability for tech companies, and establishing safety protocols for women activists.
UN Women plans to launch a corporate strategy dedicated to preventing and responding to technology-facilitated violence. The strategy aims to close data gaps, support survivors, and strengthen women’s voices in digital spaces.
Q&A: Understanding Online Violence Against Women in the Public Sphere
Q: How widespread is online abuse against women human rights defenders and journalists?
A: About 70% have experienced online violence related to their work, with offline violence linked in 41% of cases.
Q: What does AI-assisted online violence entail?
A: It includes deepfakes and manipulated digital content used to harass or intimidate women.
Q: Why is this online abuse threatening democracy?
A: It silences women’s voices, diminishes public debate, and discourages participation in digital and real-world spaces.
Q: What measures are being proposed to tackle this issue?
A: Stronger laws, tech company accountability, safety protocols, survivor support, and investment in monitoring digital violence trends.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Who conducted the new report on online violence?
A1: The report was produced by the European Commission and UN Women’s ACT programme in collaboration with TheNerve, City St George’s, University of London, the International Center for Journalists, and UNESCO.
Q2: How has offline violence against women journalists changed since 2020?
A2: Linked offline harm has more than doubled, with 42% of women journalists in 2025 associating offline attacks with online abuse.
Q3: What is the 16 Days of Activism campaign?
A3: An annual global initiative raising awareness and calling for policies to end gender-based violence, including digital violence.
Q4: How does AI impact online violence against women?
A4: AI tools, such as deepfake technology, magnify harassment by creating realistic but fabricated abusive content.
Q5: What is UN Women’s planned corporate strategy?
A5: A comprehensive plan to prevent and respond to technology-facilitated violence, focusing on prevention, accountability, support, and amplifying women’s rights voices.
