Digital Violence Is Real Violence: What a New Swedish Report Reveals

In early March 2026, the Swedish Gender Equality Agency submitted a major report on digital violence to the government. The report represents the culmination of roughly a year of commissioned research and analysis. Its central conclusion is clear: violence in digital environments is fundamentally the same as violence offline, but it also has distinct features that amplify its impact.

One crucial difference is the nature of exposure. In digital contexts, harm can be repeated and prolonged in ways that are difficult to control. Each time, for example, an image is shared, viewed, or redistributed, it can constitute a renewed violation. This means that a single act can lead to multiple instances of victimisation, extending both the reach and the duration of the harm.

The report highlights that girls and women are disproportionately affected. Nearly 40 percent of girls report that, before the age of 15, they had been contacted online with sexual intent by someone older than 15. Among reported crimes against girls in digital environments, almost one-third involve sexual violence. These figures underscore that digital spaces are not separate from broader patterns of gender-based violence, but rather an extension of them.

At the same time, the agency emphasises that the current state of knowledge is limited and uneven. Much of the existing research has focused on young females, leaving significant gaps in understanding how digital violence affects other groups. Another challenge is the lack of shared terminology. A wide range of concepts is used to describe similar phenomena, which makes it difficult to compare studies, build cumulative knowledge, and design effective interventions. From a scientific perspective, this fragmentation signals a need for clearer definitions and more systematic theoretical development.

To address these challenges, the agency identifies several priority areas. These include strengthening knowledge and competence among public authorities, developing national support functions with expertise in technology-facilitated violence (TFV), and improving safety planning and risk assessment tools that account for digital dimensions. The report also calls for policy frameworks that guide professionals in digital safety work, the establishment of cross-sectoral forums for innovation and knowledge exchange, and better support and accessible information for people with disabilities.

These recommendations align closely with the ambitions of the WOW project. The project aims to ensure that digital violence against girls and women is recognised and addressed as a serious form of violence across national contexts. A key principle is to shift the focus from blaming victims to supporting them, while also strengthening the prosecution of perpetrators. Equally important is the need to challenge social norms that implicitly tolerate harm simply because it occurs online.

After one year of work, the WOW project is now entering a new phase. An initial research review on digital violence in Europe will soon be submitted, providing an overview of the current state of knowledge. This will be followed by a series of thematic reviews that examine key aspects of the issue in greater depth, including conceptualisation, perpetrator profiles, and legal frameworks. Together, these efforts aim to contribute to a more coherent and evidence-based understanding of digital violence and to support more effective responses at both national and international levels.

Read the full report here: https://jamstalldhetsmyndigheten.se/media/ebxhbu5n/rapport-2026-1-digitala-dimensioner-2026-02-25.pdf

Read more about blog author Prof Sara Thunberg on our Meet the Team page.