Propone definir la violencia digital y tipificar nuevos delitos relacionados la manipulación mediante IA
A study supported by the Ministry of Equality warns of the lack of specialized training from a gender perspective in the fight against cybercrime, as well as the «insufficiency of resources.»
This is evident from the study ‘Violence against women, girls, boys, and adolescents in the digital realm’, promoted and funded by the Government Delegation against Gender Violence and carried out by the Association of Women Jurists Themis.
The aim of the report is to analyze the peculiarities of digital violence against women and minors, examine its impact, as well as the possible legal deficiencies and existing regulatory framework.
The study highlights that digital violence is a «constantly evolving phenomenon» that requires a «comprehensive, regulatory, educational, and technological response» to protect women and minors. «The ultimate goal should be to reduce risks and ensure a safe and respectful digital environment,» it points out.
The work is divided into three main blocks: the first seeks to approach the reality of digital violence, the second focuses on minors, and the last one on the legislative framework.
Thus, the study highlights the absence of a unique and universal concept of ‘digital violence’, «hindering, among other issues, its penal regulation.» It also emphasizes that early exposure to pornographic and violent content, along with the lack of specific regulation, contributes to normalizing harmful behaviors and affecting the emotional and physical health of minors.
In this sense, it points out that online violence has a «special» impact on women and girls. It reflects gender inequalities perpetuating gender roles and patriarchal structures. Likewise, it explains that UN research shows that more than 73% of women have been exposed to or have experienced some form of violence on the internet, and 90% of victims of non-consensual distribution of intimate images of sexual content are women.
The report also mentions the «key» role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in the feminist struggle. «These tools have become an important resource for organizing collective action, giving visibility to awareness and advocacy discourses, and increasing the capacity for mobilization,» it emphasizes.
«NEW CHALLENGES AND DANGERS» WITH AI
Regarding Artificial Intelligence (AI), it reveals that it has generated «new challenges and dangers that must be faced.» In this line, it calls for taking into account that, «due to its learning operation, it can replicate biases, discrimination, and violate rights that may affect decisions made unfairly in areas such as hiring, criminal justice, and access to services.»
The analysis also refers to the legal response in Spain advancing with reforms that typify specific crimes such as grooming, sexting, harassment, dissemination of child pornography, and offenses related to trafficking and sexual exploitation, including technological aspects.
Finally, as improvement proposals, the report suggests defining digital violence, creating unified protocols, strengthening international cooperation, and typifying new offenses related to digital identity and manipulation through AI.