Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The proposal is a good compromise and addresses cyber-violence against women as never before in a binding legal instrument. As is the case in respect of every legislative procedure, it could have been better but it could also have been much less ambitious. The advancement of technology has enabled us to connect and share important information, to speak up and raise awareness of human rights violations. However, it has also provided additional fertile grounds for gender-based violence against women and girls to an alarming extent and with little accountability. It has fuelled the perpetration of insidious, harmful actions by partners and ex-partners but also by anonymous individuals. It has created an environment in which violence against women and girls seems to have been normalised by society.

Lockdowns imposed throughout the Covid-19 pandemic only amplified this long-standing problem, with a high number of instances of online sexual abuse. Both men and women can experience instances of online violence and abuse, as was clear during the Amber Heard and Johnny Depp court case. However, women are considerably more likely to be victims of repeated and severe forms of harmful actions online and with the help of technology. Every day we hear about women and girls who have been victims of, to name but a few, non-consensual images or video sharing; intimidation and threats via email or social media platforms, including threats of rape and death threats; online sexual harassment; stalking, including with the use of tracking applications and devices; impersonation; and economic harm via digital means.

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