Digital violence is real
We live more and more online: we study, communicate, work.
And along with that, a new form of violence has emerged — digital violence. It may not leave bruises, but it can destroy your sense of safety, self-esteem, and your life.
And along with that, a new form of violence has emerged — digital violence. It may not leave bruises, but it can destroy your sense of safety, self-esteem, and your life.
Digital violence is when a person is humiliated, controlled, intimidated, or blackmailed through the internet and devices.
Who does it?
Sometimes strangers using fake accounts.
But often it’s someone close: a partner, an ex, an acquaintance, even a relative.
What does it look like?
Abusers may:
Sometimes strangers using fake accounts.
But often it’s someone close: a partner, an ex, an acquaintance, even a relative.
What does it look like?
Abusers may:
- write insults and humiliate you publicly or in private messages
- monitor your activity and control your conversations
- delete messages, distort facts, manipulate
- threaten, pressure, blackmail
- use your photos/data without permission
Important: digital violence can be hidden, but it is real.
It’s important to know the law (PMR)
In Transnistria:
Why it’s hard to prove
Often abusers hide behind fake profiles: other people’s photos, made-up names, and “friends” only online. Sometimes they look “perfect” to gain trust.
Why this page exists
So you can recognise the threat, understand how abusers act, and know what to do to protect yourself.
- online insults and publishing images of violence may be punished with a large fine
- exception: materials related to literature, art, medicine, education, and science
- threats to kill or cause grievous bodily harm, including online, are a criminal offence
Why it’s hard to prove
Often abusers hide behind fake profiles: other people’s photos, made-up names, and “friends” only online. Sometimes they look “perfect” to gain trust.
Why this page exists
So you can recognise the threat, understand how abusers act, and know what to do to protect yourself.
What is digital violence?
Digital violence is a form of psychological and emotional pressure using technology: social media, messengers, email, apps, websites, and other online tools.
The goal of digital violence is to intimidate, control, humiliate, isolate, or harm a person through digital channels.
Digital violence can happen in relationships (between partners) as well as from acquaintances or strangers, including groups.
The goal of digital violence is to intimidate, control, humiliate, isolate, or harm a person through digital channels.
Digital violence can happen in relationships (between partners) as well as from acquaintances or strangers, including groups.
Why is it important to know about it?
Digital violence often remains “invisible”: from the outside it may look like “nothing happened.” It can start with “small things” (messages, comments, control) and gradually escalate.
Digital pressure affects mental health: anxiety, fear, insomnia, guilt, and helplessness. In some cases, digital violence escalates into offline threats and physical violence.
Important to remember: if you feel uncomfortable, scared, or pressured, that alone is already a reason to stop and seek support.
Digital pressure affects mental health: anxiety, fear, insomnia, guilt, and helplessness. In some cases, digital violence escalates into offline threats and physical violence.
Important to remember: if you feel uncomfortable, scared, or pressured, that alone is already a reason to stop and seek support.
Forms of digital violence
Psychological and emotional pressure
Online harassment (cyberbullying)
arassment can start offline (for example, in the schoolyard) and quickly move online. Online harassment involves using information technologies to support deliberate, repeated, hostile behaviour by an individual or a group aimed at harming others.
It can happen through almost any means: from harmful text and visual messages sent to mobile phones to aggressive posts, emails and chats, or even harmful websites created solely to intimidate a person
It can happen through almost any means: from harmful text and visual messages sent to mobile phones to aggressive posts, emails and chats, or even harmful websites created solely to intimidate a person
Trolling (including gender-based trolling)
Insults or harassment online for “fun.” Trolls deliberately post comments or messages, upload images or videos, or create hashtags with the aim of upsetting, provoking, or inciting violence, especially against women and girls. Trolls often seem to enjoy people’s reactions and dismiss complaints as “a joke.” Many are anonymous and use fake accounts.
Trolling designed to shock and upset may target survivors by using the names and images of people they lost to create fake memes, websites, accounts, or social media pages.
Trolling designed to shock and upset may target survivors by using the names and images of people they lost to create fake memes, websites, accounts, or social media pages.
Flaming
Posting or sending offensive messages online. These messages may be posted in comments on news/community pages or sent by email or via messengers.
Harassment and control
Defamation / slander
In some situations, harassment begins with specific personal characteristics — for example physical traits (skin colour, height, body weight, etc.), physical or mental disabilities, religion, ethnicity, spoken language, social status, particular preferences or hobbies, and so on. Online bullies use these as starting points for aggression online.
Online stalking
A severe form of obsessive cyberstalking, driven by the desire to control a relationship or destroy it. It involves using technology to repeatedly track and monitor a person’s actions and behaviour in real time or retrospectively, causing fear.
Like cyberbullying, online stalking happens via social media, apps or chats, where a person (or a group) repeatedly humiliates, criticises and mocks the target. Threats can range from leaking personal information to threats of violence against the target or their loved ones.
Like cyberbullying, online stalking happens via social media, apps or chats, where a person (or a group) repeatedly humiliates, criticises and mocks the target. Threats can range from leaking personal information to threats of violence against the target or their loved ones.
Obsessive activity tracking
Harassment through repeated intrusion into a person’s sense of physical or symbolic privacy using digital or network tools. Even persistent SMS messages every evening from a secret, current, or former admirer can already be digital violence.
Unwanted sharing of information and invasion of privacy
Doxing
Publishing or sharing personal information (address, phone number, workplace/school, document details, etc.) without the person’s consent. Often used to intimidate, pressure, and involve others in harassment.
Leaking/publishing intimate materials without consent
Sharing intimate photos/videos without a person’s consent. This may be accompanied by blackmail and threats.
Blackmail (including intimate blackmail)
Demands (money, actions, continuing communication) under the threat of publishing personal/intimate information, messages, photos/videos.
Hacking accounts and devices
Gaining access to accounts/phone/email, reading messages, changing passwords, controlling devices, or blocking access.
Sexualised and gender-based digital violence
Sextortion
Extortion of intimate content or money under the threat of distributing intimate materials.
Unwanted sexual messages/images
Sending intimate photos, “dick pics,” or sexual messages without the recipient’s consent.
Grooming
Building trust (often with minors) for the purpose of subsequent sexual exploitation/blackmail.
Gender-based harassment
Унижение, оскорбления, угрозы и давление, направленные на женщин и девочек из-за их пола, внешности или самовыражения.
How to tell it’s digital violence
If you feel:
Important: “It’s just a joke” or “he/she is just worried” is not an excuse. Your boundaries matter.
- fear, tension, anxiety after messages/calls/notifications
- pressure, control, jealousy, demands to “report in”
- threats (direct or implied)
- humiliation, devaluation, insults, harassment
- attempts to isolate you from friends/family
- intrusion into personal boundaries (access to chats, devices, passwords)
Important: “It’s just a joke” or “he/she is just worried” is not an excuse. Your boundaries matter.
What to do if you face digital violence
- Save evidence: screenshots, screen recordings, links, chats, dates and times.
- Limit contact: block the account, restrict messages, adjust privacy settings.
- Update security: change passwords, enable two-factor authentication, check connected devices.
- Report the violation: report the account/content on the platform; if necessary, to law enforcement.
- Seek support: you don’t have to handle this alone.
- If there is a threat to life or physical safety, contact emergency services.
Prevention: how to protect yourself in the digital environment
- Adjust account privacy (who can see posts, who can message/call).
- Use strong unique passwords and 2FA (two-factor authentication).
- Don’t forward verification codes and don’t share passwords.
- Be careful with links and files from strangers.
- Regularly check which devices have access to your accounts.
- Discuss boundaries in communication: what is acceptable and what is not.
If you are helping someone close to you
- Believe them and don’t dismiss their feelings.
- Help record evidence and strengthen account security.
- Suggest getting a consultation (including with us at Women’s Initiatives).
- If there is risk, help create a safe action plan.
Important to remember
- Digital violence is violence. It is not “less” than offline abuse and can have serious consequences.
- You have the right to safety, respect, and personal boundaries — online too.
- If you need support, you can contact “Women’s Initiatives.”
What support is available
Depending on your situation, we’ll suggest the next steps. It’s safe.
- Rights, documents, protecting your interests, and what to do next
- Support, stabilisation, and help through an acute period
- Navigation through services and support throughout the process
How we work to keep you safe
The principles we follow
- Safety, respect, confidentialityWe treat each person and their story with care — without pressure or judgment. Personal information is protected. When there is risk, safety and fast action come first.1
- Professional help
and guidanceWe involve specialists and support you on the way to an outcome: understand options, choose the next step, prepare what’s needed, and receive support and accompaniment.2 - Honesty, legality, transparencyWe work to ethical standards and within the law, and do not tolerate abuse or corruption. We build trust through clear rules, partnerships, and accountability for results.3
Since 2010, we have provided direct support to survivors of violence and human trafficking, as well as people at risk. We develop education programmes and awareness campaigns.
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Since 2010, we’ve provided direct support to survivors of violence and human trafficking, as well as people at risk, and we develop education programmes and awareness campaigns.
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