Moldova criminalizes digital violence: Landmark law protects women from stalking and online abuse

The Republic of Moldova has taken a bold step to protect women and girls from digital violence and, for the first time, criminalizes several forms of such abuse, including stalking.

For 22 years, Marina* suffered physical and emotional abuse by her husband, until she reached a breaking point. The mother of two left the marital home with her children and filed for divorce this fall. Even though she separated in 2021, the violence didn't stop – it simply moved online.

She was surveilled, stalked, and filmed without consent by a person engaged by her husband. She also started receiving death threats. No place felt safe. He created fake social media accounts in her name, pretending that she provided sexual services. Under current laws, threats received online are treated as misdemeanors and perpetrators can get away with paying a fine.

But change is coming, and Marina looks hopefully to the future. Starting 14 February 2026, new legal amendments will enter into force, offering stronger protection for women and girls suffering digital abuse. Stalking will become a criminal offense, punishable by up to two years in prison, or three if the perpetrator is a family member. The amendments cover stalking and harassment using tech tools, repeated attempts to contact a person by any means, or monitoring one's house or workplace in person or through online technologies.

Why Moldova's new digital violence law matters

In Moldova, more than half of women (65 per cent) aged 18 and older who are active online have experienced some form of digital violence in their lifetime. Until now, the law did not fully recognize these acts as crimes. The new amendments define digital violence as any act of harm committed through information technologies or electronic communications.

The legislative changes also define "abusive content data" as discriminatory, sexist, threatening, obscene, or defamatory digital materials, providing a clear legal basis for prosecution.

These changes are the result of joint efforts by the Parliament of the Republic of Moldova, the National Agency for the Prevention and Combating of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (ANPCV), UN Women, UNFPA, the Council of Europe Office, and civil society organizations.

“For us, ensuring safety in the digital space means expanding the concept of safety into every sphere of life”, said Viorica Țîmbalari, Director of the National Agency for the Prevention and Combating of Violence against Women and Domestic Violence. “Digital violence is a challenge of our time, but also an opportunity to show that justice, empathy, and respect can evolve along with technology.”

In 2026, the Agency plans to train police officers, criminal investigators, prosecutors, and judges to handle cases of digital violence, so that they can fully enforce the new law.

Free legal aid supports survivors like Marina

Along with supporting the legal amendments, UN Women is making sure that survivors of digital violence can access the legal aid they need. Through a UN Women project funded by the Government of Denmark, Dacia Centre in Soroca provides free legal counseling and representation in court for Marina and other survivors like her.

“This support was a lifeline”, says Marina. “I was at the end of my strength. I couldn’t believe that someone would help me for free.”

Her lawyer, Tatiana Vicol-Felișcan, notes that psychological and digital violence are growing threats: “Psychological violence is the most widespread and, at the same time, the least recognized form of abuse. Increasingly, it goes hand in hand with intimidation or blackmail online.”

Recent legislative changes bring Vicol-Felișcan hope, but she stresses the need for regular training for police, prosecutors, and judges, as well as expanding the use of video hearings to help women survivors access justice without additional trauma. "They must feel heard and protected, not judged", she says.

Marina's life remains a struggle. Just a month ago, her husband attacked her again – leaving her with serious head injuries that forced her to stop working entirely. Without the free legal aid, continuing the divorce proceedings would have been impossible.

Stronger penalties for sexual harassment

The amendments also introduce tougher penalties for sexual harassment, including online. Offenders face fines up to USD 3,000, 120 to 240 hours of unpaid community work, or up to four years in prison – double the previous maximum. If the victim is a minor, the sentence increases to seven years.

"These amendments reflect Moldova’s strong commitment to protecting the dignity, freedom, and safety of women and girls, including in the digital space", says Dominika Stojanoska, UN Women Moldova Country Representative. "Now these provisions must be implemented and those in charge must be trained to apply the new legal framework effectively."

Laws change mindsets, not just penalties

Laws are not just about punishing perpetrators – they are also a powerful tool for changing mindsets. Marina hopes that the new law will encourage more women and girls to report abuse and seek help: "I wish more women knew that digital violence is also violence and that they can get help for free. Thanks to the counseling I received, I understood that it's not me who should feel ashamed - it's the aggressor. I hope that more women and girls will come to understand that."

* The name was changed to protect the identity of the woman experiencing violence.