Cyberviolence is the new face of an old problem – gender-based violence. Violence that women experience simply because they are women, occurring everywhere: at home, on the street, and at work. Violence against women is a phenomenon much older than the Internet. As technology evolves, so too do new forms of violence against women. Due to the lack of available research on the experiences of Polish female internet users, we conducted a public opinion survey on cyberviolence against women in Poland. In collaboration with IOS, a research institute experienced in studying key social problems and attitudes, we conducted a quantitative study on a sample of 1,000 women living in Poland. Our study covered areas such as identifying violent behaviors online, indirect and direct experiences of cyberviolence, the consequences of violence, actions taken in response to experiencing or witnessing violence, the attitudes of Internet users, and their expectations.

Istanbul Convention is an effective tool to protect victims and punish perpetrators of violence. To put it simply: it is hope for safety for you, your sisters, daughters and future generations of women who will no longer be left alone when someone tries to hurt them. It is also help for anyone, regardless of gender, who suffers harm at home - including children and the elderly. The document clearly defines violence, what to do when it happens and how to prevent it. The EU's ratification of the Convention was a crucial step towards equal rights for women and men and a modern community based on civil society. We must speak with one voice about violence and discrimination because it is the same fight: for safety and respect. Violence against women takes on new forms all the time, but society's indifference to its manifestations is also growing at an alarming rate.

Cyberviolence is clearly visible on the internet. Two out of three women recognise its various forms (64%). The most frequently observed forms of cyberviolence are hate in the form of humiliation, ridicule (37%), name-calling and insults (37%) and offensive comments (26%). Similarly often, female Internet users living in Poland witness negative behaviour such as memes, graphics, and photomontages with a vulgar connotation with the image of women created and made public without their consent and knowledge (26%), creating fake social media profiles to ridicule the victims (23%) or sharing private information about specific women (19%). Another behaviour that female internet users have also observed regularly and repeatedly (with the highest frequency) is unwanted sexual advances (64%).

We are conducting an advocacy programme for the proper implementation by Poland of the Directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence. The Directive was adopted by the European Parliament on 24 April 2024 and by the Council on 7 May 2024. As EFI, we place particular emphasis on the effective implementation of regulations concerning cyberviolence against women, so as to maximise the guarantees of their human rights, ensure online safety and effectively counteract the exclusion, discrimination and marginalisation of women in the digital space.

We are convinced that without the support of business we will not succeed, that regardless of good laws that form the foundation of a solidarity system, we must look for allies outside of politics. Business can be such an ally. That is why, together with our business partners, we conduct dialogue, research and analysis and look for optimal procedures that, in favour of women victims of violence, can be implemented directly in their companies. If your company is interested in cooperating - contact us.