digital gender violence in the age of technology
In Alicante, the Spanish Computer Crime Observatory (OEDI) has identified new forms of gender-based violence linked to digital tools. Women are increasingly targeted through online banking and voice cloning powered by artificial intelligence. The latest findings, supported by the University of Alicante and the Generalitat Valenciana, indicate these are two emerging variants that have grown this year. A recent UA study shows that 74.4% of young Valencian women report some experience of digital gender violence on online platforms or social networks. The study also notes a critical point: the Victim Assistance phone number is 016, and in nearly 80 percent of cases the information source is the victim herself’s closest contact network or personal circle.
The Victims Early Attention (ATV) program reports that nearly 220 cases of digital gender violence were filed this year. About 200 of these involve residents of the Alicante province, with the remaining twenty representing victims relocated from other autonomous communities — such as the Basque Country or Zaragoza — in response to unusual patterns like hacking or device monitoring. Authorities have observed that some victims travel to the province seeking care. Salvador Samper, a computer analyst and head of ATV offices, notes that the volume of cases is substantial and rising, prompting closer attention from local authorities.
Last year, ATV service activity rose by 40 percent versus 2022. Reports grew by 30 percent, device and cloud data extraction by 35 percent, participation by more than 40 percent, and phone engagement by over 30 percent. Samper emphasizes that these increases show a continuing rise in digital gender violence rather than a temporary spike.
One newly identified crime method in the first half of this year involves electronic banking tools used to assert control over women. The aggrieved often experiences economic violence firsthand. In some cases, an attacker impersonates the woman within digital banking apps, gaining access to accounts and financial activity. In others, the perpetrator traces the victim’s movements and purchases. In a chilling instance, a holiday package could be bought for the victim as a supposed gift, and when she logs in, she suspects infidelity rather than a legitimate purchase.
The central problem arises when victims approach banks for access to data from devices that showed unauthorized login activity. The situation is no longer limited to laptop access; a modern version of violence involves controlling economic activity as well. These privacy intrusions have become so frequent that some victims must flee their homes, while others remain living with the threat at hand.
lack of evidence
When examining online account history, investigators often find technical data pointing to a phone number that does not belong to the victim and appears linked to a former partner. Court-ordered IP tracing can reveal the same link, raising questions about what the ex-partner is doing in the account. Samper stresses that without these technical steps, digital evidence would be hard to establish. He underscores that victims have a right to this evidence and to access it when needed.
Earlier this year, these offices faced repeated situations where a full documentation package was required to prove break-ins, but banks could not provide the necessary data. The victim often cannot access their own information to demonstrate that a former partner accessed it. This lack of access can feel like re-victimization, a point emphasized by researchers.
Full cooperation from banking institutions has become essential as soon as the issue is clarified. Banks have shown responsiveness by issuing internal Circulars that enable victims to request and obtain relevant data quickly and securely.
In recent months, new uses of technology have revealed another form of crime: women report that ex-partners use cloned voices to create audio recordings that say things the speakers never uttered. These recordings are being crafted with advanced artificial intelligence and are presented as evidence in legal procedures. The impact of such manipulation is profound as it challenges the integrity of audio records in court.
sound manipulation
Samper notes that some early cases involved crude audio manipulation. As technology advances, AI-generated voices can be indistinguishable from real speech, complicating judicial investigations into gender-based violence. Victims often contact support services unsure of the voice’s origin. Any audio presented to a court would require expert analysis to determine if manipulation occurred. Cases like the Almendralejo incident illustrate how multiple minors could create fake nude images with AI, underscoring the broader implications of voice and image manipulation.
UA study
The UA study confirms that the online environment is a major battlefield for violence against women. The most common offenses include sexist or misogynistic comments (44.4%), insulting or abusive remarks (41.9%), humiliating or intimidating advances on social networks (39.1%), disturbing sexually inappropriate emails or messages (36.8%), and threatening communications via email, text, or instant messages (33.6%).
Data reveals that nearly nine out of ten young people have witnessed or experienced some form of digital gender violence, with 87.8% of young women reporting exposure and 82.3% of young men witnessing at least one incident. The figures show at least eight in ten women have endured digital gender violence at some point in their lives.
The UA study also highlights public awareness and responses. The 016 hotline is widely known, with almost eight in ten respondents recognizing its role. Respondents emphasize education about mutual respect, stricter accountability for perpetrators, and easy access to the 016 line as the most useful interventions. A majority believes awareness campaigns have helped raise attention to digital gender violence. While platforms have policies, the study notes they are often limited in scope and protection measures rely on user reports after incidents.
The research also documents the emotional and psychological toll. Among female victims, anxiety, lowered self-esteem, and suffering are common, while witnesses report anger, fear, and distress. Most victims seek support from family, friends, or mental health professionals, and many report blocking harmful content or reporting to the platform when possible.
All parties agree that coordinated action from platforms and organizations is essential to reduce harm. The UA study highlights the need for broader education campaigns and stronger protective measures across social networks and streaming services. Some platforms have policies, but practical protections are uneven, with better outcomes when interventions are timely and informed by expert guidance.
unknown perpetrators
Among younger audiences, many victims deny ongoing pain yet report anger at not being able to intervene immediately. The most common perpetrators are unknown or online-only aggressors, though partners or coworkers can also be involved. Victims repeatedly noted that blocking access and seeking support from trusted individuals remains the primary coping strategy. When asked about attackers, most responses point to individuals who are not personally known, underscoring the risk posed by anonymous online aggressors.
In summary, the pattern shows that digital gender violence often involves unknown assailants, with a troubling trend toward exploiting new technologies to control, threaten, or harass. Victims typically prefer to block offenders and seek help from friends, family, or mental health professionals, while reporting to platforms when possible. Educational and preventive measures continue to be critical in reducing the impact of these crimes.