Newsroom Cyberviolence against women
Cyberviolence Resource tool on domestic legislation on cyberviolence worldwide was launched
Under the Cyberviolence Resource a new web page on domestic legislation on cyberviolence was launched. This webpage gathers over 1600 entries reflecting responses to a questionnaire adopted by the Cybercrime Convention Committee (T-CY) during its 32nd Plenary meeting and shared with members and...
From standards to action: making accountability for technology-facilitated violence against women and girls a reality
On 10 June 2026, the Council of Europe launched a new recommendation aiming at strengthening accountability for technology-facilitated violence against women and girls. Adopted by the Committee of Ministers in March, the recommendation was prepared by the Council of Europe’s Gender Equality...
Secretary General highlights gender equality as a democratic security imperative at the UN Commission on the Status of Women in New York
Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset took part in the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) in New York from 10 to 12 March, stressing that gender equality is not only a human rights issue but also a democratic and security imperative. At a time...
8 March 2026 | International Women's Day: Cyberviolence and the Convention on cybercrime
Every year, the International Women’s Day offers a chance to spotlight advances in the field of women’s rights and equality. As this year marks the 25th Anniversary of the Convention on Cybercrime, it provides a special opportunity to reflect on this pioneering and solid international treaty,...
Dealing with new technologies, to ensure equality and protection of women from violence
Ahead of International Women’s Day, marked on 8 March, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe has adopted two new recommendations to member states addressing the problems posed to gender equality and non-discrimination, and the increase in violence against women and girls, by the...
Statement by Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset and message from the President of GREVIO, Maria-Andriani Kostopoulou
International Day on the Elimination of Violence against Women 2025: “No woman should live in fear of violence” and “The Istanbul Convention is a powerful tool for change"
Gender-based violence is the number one human rights violation of women in Europe. Democracy rests on the fundamental principle that everyone deserves equal rights and dignity and can live safely and freely. As our democracies are facing new challenges, women’s rights are increasingly called...
The CyberVAW Conference - strengthening women’s leadership against cyberviolence
The CyberSEE joint project of the European Union and the Council of Europe in cooperation with the CyberSouth+, GLACY-e, Octopus projects and CyberKOP Action, with the support of criminal justice authorities from South-East Europe, organised the International conference on combating cyberviolence...
Council of Europe Committee of Experts finalises draft Recommendation on accountability for technology-facilitated violence against women and girls
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Experts on combating technology-facilitated violence against women and girls (GEC/PC-eVIO) held its fourth and final meeting from 30 September to 2 October 2025 in Strasbourg. The Committee concluded its work on the draft Recommendation on accountability for...
Police officers in Bosnia and Herzegovina gain vital skills to recognize, prevent, and combat digital violence against women
Three consecutive training sessions were held for a group of twenty police officers – 9 women and 11 men – from ten cantons of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in June and July 2025 as part of a comprehensive training programme on addressing technology-facilitated violence against women....
8 March 2025 | International Women's Day: How far have we come?
Every year, the International Women’s Day is an opportunity to take a look back at the steps taken in the field of women’s rights and equality. In particular, the past year has seen significant advancements in strengthening legal frameworks to combat cyberviolence. In May 2024, European...
Women as equal partners in the AI revolution: a call for gender equality in the digital age
“The AI and digital revolution must also be a revolution for gender equality,” says Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset ahead of International Women’s Day. “Together, we can break down barriers to build a future where women and girls lead, innovate, and drive the digital world...
New deadline: 10 May 2025
Octopus Conference 2025: Registration is now open!
Update: Given the considerable interest from across the globe, the Octopus Conference Secretariat has extended the deadline to register for in-person participation and submit entries for the Youth and Cybercrime Competition to 10 May 2025, 23h59 CEST, Strasbourg time. Registration is now open...
New project in Bosnia and Herzegovina aims to support authorities for combating digital and sexual violence against women
The Council of Europe has launched a new project in Bosnia and Herzegovina to support BiH authorities in aligning laws, policies, and practices with Council of Europe standards for combating digital and sexual violence against women. These standards primarily include the Istanbul Convention, case...
New guidance issued to countries on limiting use of criminal law to restrict freedom of expression
Kicking off: a Council of Europe Network of specialised lawyers and NGOs assisting women victims of violence
Today, the first ever Network of specialised Lawyers and NGOs assisting victims of violence against women was launched. The Council of Europe Violence against Women Division brought together an initial set of members of this new network for a day of knowledge sharing and networking. With lawyers...
New GREVIO report on 2023 activities highlights digital dimension of violence against women
The recent GREVIO (Group of Experts on Combating Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence) report on last year's activities dedicates a section to the role and importance of risk assessment and management in preventing and combating violence against women. It explores the digital dimension of...
Committee of Experts on tech-facilitated violence against women and girls holds first meeting
The Committee of Experts on combating technology-facilitated violence against women and girls (GEC/PC-eVIO) held its first meeting on 1-2 October 2024 in Strasbourg. The primary objective of this group is to formulate a Recommendation addressing technology-facilitated violence against women and...
8 March 2024 | International Women's Day: How far have we come?
Once again, International Women’s Day is an opportunity to look back at what has been achieved in the field of violence – and more specifically for us, cyberviolence – against women. While research continues to highlight gender inequalities in terms of exposure to cyberviolence, the...
Cyberviolence against women addressed by Council and European Parliament in first EU-wide law
A first-ever EU-wide instrument agreed upon by the Council and European Parliament addresses all forms of violence against women, including cyberviolence. “This is a big step forward to better protect women and girls from violence, whether at home, at work, on our streets, off-line or on-line....
Members of the European Parliament demand EU regulation of “virtual worlds”
In a recent report by Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), while it is acknowledged that the current “virtual worlds” are primarily developed by companies located outside the EU, EU is encouraged to take on a leading role in their development. The report condemns technologies as being a...
Cyberviolence Resource presented during the Octopus Conference 2023
Between 13-15 December 2023, Octopus Conference 2023 took place in Bucharest, Romania. The Octopus Conference, organised every 12 to 18 months by the Council of Europe, constitutes one of the biggest and finest platforms of exchange in cybercrime gathering experts from more than 100 countries,...