Il-Briefing 
 

Combating gender-based cyber violence: EU-wide common sanctions, victim support 

MEPs are expected to call for more to be done to stop gender-based cyberviolence, in light of the worrisome increase in those affected by it during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The draft legislative initiative tabled by the Women’s Rights and Civil Liberties committees asserts that the EU lacks a legal framework to combat gender-based cyber-violence and a minimum level of protection and reparation for victims. The EU therefore needs a directive that provides a common criminal law definition of cyberviolence to ensure convergence at national and EU level. It should also include harmonised sanctions and protection mechanisms in line with the standards set out in Istanbul Convention, MEPs urge.


The draft text stresses that cyber violence against women and LGBTIQ people is a continuation of gendered violence offline, and that problems such as cyber harassment, cyber stalking, violations of privacy, and recording and sharing images of sexual assault need to be addressed urgently.


The debate will take place on Monday, the vote is scheduled for Tuesday.

Procedure: legislative initiative report

Debate: Monday 13 December

Vote: Tuesday 14 December