In the run-up to the European Commission’s presentation of a draft directive to combat gender-based violence, the European Parliament wants to draw attention to one particular form of violence that is becoming increasingly widespread, especially against women: gender-based cyber violence.
An own-initiative report on the subject by Polish MEP Sylwia Spurek (Greens/EFA) and Greek MEP Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi (EPP) was debated on Monday 13 December and adopted on Tuesday 14 December, with 513 votes in favour, 122 against and 58 abstentions.
Seven out of ten women have been victims of cyber-stalking, according to the European Institute for Gender Equality. “Young women and girls, in particular, are victims of cyber violence committed through new technologies, including cyber-stalking and cyber-predation in the form of rape threats, death threats, hacking attempts and the publication of private information and photos”, the Parliament’s report details.
On Monday, in plenary, Sylwia Spurek opened her speech with examples of comments received “daily” by message, on social networks: “’It's a pity that your mother didn't have an abortion. Poland would be more beautiful without such a parasite. You should be shaved bold, you disgusting creature. [...] If I ever meet you, I will spit at your face with pleasure’... And I have chosen the more delicate ones, not to offend you”, she told her colleagues.
She went on to say that the figures for cyber-bullying are particularly high for women politicians, activists, journalists and all those who participate or try to participate in public debate online.
“Gender-based cyber violence is a challenge posed by modernity. But it is at the same time just a new face of an old well-known enemy: violence against women”, said Ms Spurek.
This position was shared by Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi, who insisted on the need to prevent and punish this specific type of violence, but also to tackle the gender stereotypes at the root of cyber violence.
“We are talking about a serious violation of human rights”, she continued, calling for “this type of act to be taken into account in the criminal code of the Member States”. At present, 15 Member States do not take gender identity into account in their hate speech legislation, the report says.
In order to tackle such violence, the Parliament therefore calls for a common legal definition of gender-based cyber violence.
It also calls for a minimum level of protection and reparation for victims, as well as the establishment of dedicated EU-wide sanctions, in line with the standards set by the Istanbul Convention (see EUROPE 12609/5).
To consult the text as adopted: XXX (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki)