In Moldova, more than half of women (65 per cent) aged 18 and older who are active online have experienced some form of digital violence in their lifetime. Until now, the law did not fully recognize these acts as crimes. The new amendments define digital violence as any act of harm committed through information technologies or electronic communications.
The legislative changes also define “abusive content data” as discriminatory, sexist, threatening, obscene, or defamatory digital materials, providing a clear legal basis for prosecution.
These changes are the result of joint efforts by the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, the National Agency for the Prevention and Combating of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (ANPCV), UN Women, UNFPA, the Council of Europe Office, and civil society organizations.
“For us, ensuring safety in the digital space means expanding the concept of safety into every sphere of life”, said Viorica Țîmbalari, Director of the National Agency for the Prevention and Combating of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence. “Digital violence is a challenge of our time, but also an opportunity to show that justice, empathy, and respect can evolve along with technology.”
In 2026, the Agency plans to train police officers, criminal investigators, prosecutors, and judges to handle cases of digital violence, so that they can fully enforce the new law.