CDT Europe policy paper calls for harmonised legal action against tech-facilitated gender-based violence

The CDT Europe (the Centre for Democracy & Technology Europe) published a policy paper analysing how existing international and European legal frameworks respond to technology-facilitated gender-based violence. The publication assesses whether current laws are adequate for addressing forms of gender-based harm that occur through digital platforms, online services, and emerging technologies, and identifies where legal and institutional gaps persist.

The paper uses the term technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) to describe abuse carried out through digital means. This includes online harassment, cyberstalking, threats, doxing, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, and the creation or distribution of synthetic content such as deepfakes. CDT Europe stresses that these are not entirely new forms of violence, but digital extensions of long-recognised patterns of gender-based abuse.

Recognising digital abuse as a human rights issue

A central argument of the paper is that international human rights law increasingly recognises online gender-based violence as a violation of fundamental rights. Instruments such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women establish state obligations to prevent and address gender-based violence in all contexts, including digital environments.

At the European level, the paper highlights the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention as the most comprehensive binding framework. Monitoring bodies and case law have clarified that acts such as cyberstalking and online harassment fall within its scope, even when the harm is mediated by technology rather than physical proximity.

The European Union’s evolving legal framework

The CDT Europe analysis also looks closely at recent developments in European Union law. Particular attention is given to the EU Directive on violence against women and domestic violence, which will require member states to criminalise certain forms of technology-facilitated abuse. According to the paper, this directive has the potential to reduce disparities between national legal systems, but its effectiveness will depend on how consistently it is implemented.

The paper also examines platform regulation, especially under the Digital Services Act. Rather than creating new criminal offences, the Act requires large online platforms to assess and mitigate systemic risks linked to their services, including risks related to online gender-based violence. CDT Europe notes that early implementation shows varying interpretations by platforms, raising concerns about consistency and accountability.

Fragmentation and enforcement challenges

A key concern identified in the paper is the fragmentation of responsibility. Addressing technology-facilitated abuse often involves multiple authorities, including criminal justice systems, data protection regulators, media authorities, and platform oversight bodies. This division can result in unclear accountability and uneven access to protection and remedies for victims across countries.

The paper argues for stronger coordination between regulators, clearer enforcement mandates, and improved access to platform data for independent oversight and research. Civil society organisations are highlighted as essential actors in monitoring implementation, supporting victims, and ensuring that legal safeguards translate into real-world protection.

Why this paper matters

CDT Europe situates technology-facilitated gender-based violence within broader debates on digital rights and democratic governance. As digital platforms and AI-driven tools become more embedded in everyday life, the paper argues that legal systems must evolve to ensure that fundamental rights are protected consistently both online and offline.

Rather than advocating for entirely new legal instruments, the publication calls for better alignment of existing frameworks, closing enforcement gaps, and ensuring that emerging technologies do not weaken long-standing protections against gender-based violence.