When we think of violence against women and girls, we often picture physical harm—a bruise, a broken bone, a black eye. We picture violence that happens in homes, on streets, in workplaces. We picture something we can see.
But there is another form of violence that is just as real, just as damaging, and far more pervasive than many of us realize. It happens on screens. It follows women and girls everywhere they go. And it is taking a profound toll on their mental health.
This November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the United Nations is focusing on digital violence—a form of abuse that is "serious and rapidly growing," and one that seeks to silence the voices of women, especially those with a public presence .
This post explores what digital violence is, how it affects the mental health of women and girls in Canada, and what we can do about it.
What is Digital Violence?
Digital violence—also called technology-facilitated gender-based violence—includes any form of gender-based violence where technology is used to cause harm.
It is not "just words on a screen." It is a pattern of abuse that can have devastating and long-lasting consequences.
According to the United Nations, digital violence includes:
Image-based abuse: The non-consensual sharing of intimate images, often called "revenge porn"
Cyberbullying, trolling, and online threats
Online harassment and sexual harassment
AI-generated deepfakes: Sexually explicit images or videos created without consent
Doxxing: Publishing private information to expose or endanger someone
Online stalking or surveillance
Online grooming and sexual exploitation
Misogynistic networks such as manosphere and incel forums
These acts do not stay online. They often lead to offline violence, coercion, and even femicide. And the harm can last for years.
The statistics are staggering:
38% of women have experienced online violence, and 85% have witnessed it happening to others
90-95% of all online deepfakes are non-consensual pornographic images, with around 90% depicting women
73% of women journalists have experienced online violence
Fewer than 40% of countries have laws protecting women from cyber harassment or stalking
The Reality in Canada
This is not a distant problem. It is happening here, in our communities, to women and girls we know.
According to the Canadian Women's Foundation, 61% of women and gender-diverse people in Canada have faced gendered digital harm, compared to 53% of the general population. Over 70% of these incidents occurred in the three years leading up to the report—a troubling trend that suggests the problem is getting worse, not better.
The impacts are not evenly distributed. Black, Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, youth (18-25), and people with disabilities are the most frequent targets. Indigenous women often face harm specifically because of their identity. Black women experience harassment linked to race, gender, and skin colour. Women and gender-diverse people with disabilities are twice as likely to have false information spread about them.
And the mental health toll is profound.
According to the Canadian Women's Foundation, 43% of survivors suffer serious mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Youth and underserved groups are twice as likely to contemplate or engage in self-harm or suicide because of digital harm.
The YWCA of Edmonton puts it plainly:
"Survivors feel psychological and emotional changes. They're more likely to experience shame, depression, and anxiety. Many survivors come to fear participating online or worry about losing their dignity, social standing, or self-worth. Over time, these impacts can lower moods and self-esteem and increase a survivor's risk of self-harm, stress-related illnesses, and even suicidal ideation".
The silencing effect is real.
More than 50% of women and gender-diverse people reduce their online presence or self-censor to avoid harm. Many leave platforms entirely, especially when discussing gender, race, or social justice topics. This is not a personal choice—it is a consequence of violence. It is the intended outcome of those who seek to silence women's voices.
The Most Vulnerable Among Us: Girls and Young Women
The data on girls is particularly heartbreaking.
According to the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, reports of extreme online violence targeting primarily girls have been rising sharply. From June 2022 through December 2025, Cybertip.ca and NeedHelpNow.ca received 127 reports of extreme online violence, with the majority occurring in the last 12 months. The reports involved 75 child victims, with girls accounting for 84% of victims where gender was known. The youngest victim was just 11 years old.
The tactics are horrifying. Offenders use threats to distribute intimate images, blackmail, and doxing to force victims to engage in dangerous behaviours—including self-harm, disordered eating, sexual acts, and even violence against pets.
Discord has been cited in 80 reports related to extreme online sexual violence since 2022, making it the most cited platform.
Lianna McDonald, executive director of the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, said: "This new and horrific type of abuse we see unfolding is heartbreaking, and should concern all Canadians. These emerging forms of violence impacting girls and young women online are sadly deeply entrenched in our digital environments" .
The Psychological Toll: Why Digital Violence Hurts So Much
Digital violence is uniquely damaging for several reasons.
It is pervasive. Unlike physical violence, which is confined to a specific time and place, digital violence follows you everywhere. Your phone is always with you. The threats, the images, the harassment—they are always just a tap away.
It is public. A single post can be seen by thousands of people. The humiliation is not private; it is shared, amplified, and permanent.
It is relentless. The internet never sleeps. There is no escape, no safe harbour, no moment of respite.
It is often dismissed. "It's just online," people say. "Just block them." "Just log off." But as the Canadian Women's Foundation notes, digital harm is a serious issue that affects women's safety, mental health, and ability to engage fully online. It is not something to be brushed aside .
And it is often invisible to those who do not experience it. Men, by and large, do not face the same level of digital violence. They do not receive the same threats. They do not have to worry about their intimate images being shared without consent. They do not have to self-censor to stay safe. This disparity is part of what makes digital violence a feminist issue—and part of why it is so often minimized.
What Needs to Change
The United Nations is calling for action on multiple fronts:
Governments must end impunity through laws that penalize digital violence. In Canada, the federal government has introduced the Digital Safety Act, and Bill C-16 (the Protecting Victims Act) was passed in June 2026, modernizing the Criminal Code to better address digital violence. These amendments criminalize the creation and sharing of non-consensual sexual deepfakes, make threats to share intimate images an offence, and introduce new protections against coercive control. But the Canadian Women's Foundation notes that the Digital Safety Act does not specifically mention the unique, disproportionate harms faced by women, girls, and gender-diverse people. They are calling for gender-specific provisions and a clear timeline for implementation .
Technology companies must ensure the safety of their platforms and remove harmful content. They must offer robust tools for users to control their online experiences, including better filtering options and more effective reporting processes. And they must be held accountable for their content moderation decisions.
Donors must provide funding so that feminist organizations can work to eradicate this violence. In Canada, 88% of gender equality organizations face digital threats, yet more than 60% do not have the resources to address digital harm.
And people like us must raise our voices to help survivors. We must believe women when they share their experiences. We must report harmful content. We must speak out against the culture that normalizes digital violence. And we must support the women and girls in our lives who are navigating this reality.
How to Support Someone Experiencing Digital Violence
If someone you know is experiencing digital violence, here is how you can help:
Believe them. Dismissal or minimization shuts down connection. "That sounds really hard" goes further than "It's not that bad."
Help them document everything. Keep records of messages, usernames, and any other relevant information. This is crucial for reporting to platforms and law enforcement.
Encourage them to report. Most social media platforms allow you to report harmful content. They can also report to Cybertip.ca (for child sexual exploitation) or NeedHelpNow.ca (for help removing images) .
Help them access support. Trauma-informed mental health services are essential. The Canadian Women's Foundation emphasizes the need for trauma-informed support for survivors.
Check in again. Digital violence can be ongoing. A later check-in can matter just as much as the first conversation.
A Final Thought
Digital violence is real violence. It is not "just online." It is not something to be ignored or dismissed. It is a form of gender-based violence that is taking a profound toll on the mental health of women and girls in Canada and around the world.
This November 25, as we mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, let us commit to seeing digital violence for what it is. Let us commit to believing survivors. Let us commit to holding perpetrators and platforms accountable. And let us commit to creating a world where women and girls can exist online—and offline—without fear.
The theme of this year's UNiTE campaign is #NoExcuse. There is no excuse for digital violence. There is no excuse for silence.
Resources:
Canadian Women's Foundation: Information and resources on gendered digital harm
Cybertip.ca: Report online child sexual exploitation
NeedHelpNow.ca: Help removing intimate images from the internet
988 Suicide Crisis Helpline: Call or text 988 (24/7)
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or text 686868
If you or someone you love is experiencing digital violence, Peachey Counselling and Family Support is here to help. Our team offers compassionate, trauma-informed support for survivors. Reach out to learn more about our services.
Whatever it is, we’re here for you.
Life is uncertain. Jobs are stressful. Parenting is hard. Relationships take work. Families can be dysfunctional. And sometimes, love hurts. When you’re confronted by feelings, events, or issues that are making your life challenging, it’s okay to ask for some help.
REFERENCE SOURCES:
United Nations. (2026). International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
Canadian Centre for Child Protection. (2026, January 20). Extreme online violence targeting girls on the rise.
CBC News. (2026, May 2). Online harassment against female journalists is a growing problem, UN report suggests.
Canadian Women's Foundation. (2026, June 24). Statement from the Canadian Women's Foundation on the Digital Safety Act.
Global News. (2026, January 20). Discord tops social media platforms utilized for attacks on girls, data shows.
YWCA of Edmonton. (2026, September 1). Online Violence, Real Life Harm.
Canadian Women's Foundation. (2025). Challenging Gendered Digital Harm Research Report.
Canada.ca. (2024). Online violence.
Alberta RCMP. (2026, September 16). Alberta RCMP shares information with youth on cyberbullying and sextortion.
