One of the challenges today, is that the current safeguard mechanisms to prevent and tackle sexual violence were designed for offline contexts. The risk of becoming a target of sexual violence today is heightened by the fact that sexual violence can be facilitated and perpetrated also online. Digital platforms can play an important role and be a powerful tool to improve gender equality and empower women and girls, contribute to building their resilience in times of crises, increase the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence through early warning linking survivors with referral pathways for services, and facilitate reporting.

Gender-based hate speech is increasingly being used as a deliberate tactic to silence human rights defenders and political activists through the incitement of sexual violence. In conflict-affected settings, digital tools are being used to traffic women and girls for the purposes of sexual exploitation. Sex traffickers are using the internet as a tool to carry out the recruitment of victims and to advertise exploitative services. In extreme cases, women and girls are also sold and traded as documented in territories under ISIL control.

Moreover, deliberate information manipulation and interference through disinformation campaigns is disrupting the ability of states to protect and address sexual violence. The weaponization of the internet in conflict zones also prevents survivors of conflict-related sexual violence from accessing information about available services and accessing online assistance such as psychological support.

We stand together determined to protect the victims of conflict-related sexual violence, to end impunity of perpetrators, and to guarantee access to justice, reparations and redress for survivors.

- HR/VP Josep Borrell & UNSR on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten

The EU continues its efforts on a global scale to eliminate all forms of sexual and gender-based violence. The EU strives to strengthen the legal frameworks and accountability mechanisms to provide justice for victims, and to improve services for survivors and access support women’s rights organisations and civil society organisations.

No matter where it happens, we will combat and eliminate all forms of violence against women… We are enhancing efforts to counter sexual and gender-based violence, to ensure that those responsible are fully accountable for their actions, and to combat impunity.

- Josep Borrell, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy