Andorra Launches Campaign Against Rising Digital Gender Violence

Andorra Launches Campaign Against Rising Digital Gender Violence

Authorities and Andorra Telecom team up on awareness drive as cases match previous year's total by mid-2026

Cases of digital gender violence in Andorra have reached 12 so far this year, matching the full total from 2025 and continuing an upward trend, according to the latest figures from the Gender Violence Victims' Attention Service (SAVVG).

The State Secretary for Equality and Citizen Participation, Mariona Cadena, presented the data alongside a new prevention campaign launched with Andorra Telecom. Between January and August—or May, per some reports—the service attended 229 women, 12 of whom reported digital violence. This doubles the six cases in 2024 and quadruples the three in 2023. Officials expect the annual figure to rise further, with four months left in 2026.

Cadena attributed part of the increase to greater public awareness, better professional training, and improved detection. "Professionals are more trained, leading to higher detection rates," she said. Police have received specific instruction on digital crimes from the technological offenses unit. She stressed that many incidents involve young people and adolescents, who use digital tools extensively but may not recognize the harm in certain behaviors.

The September-focused initiative, under the slogan "Digital violence also leaves a mark," highlights actions like demanding social media passwords, constant location tracking, sending unwanted images, or sharing content without consent. It aims to equip people, especially youth, to identify control tactics and seek help. Victims can contact SAVVG voluntarily, without needing to file a police report; the service respects their decisions.

Andorra Telecom's deputy director, César Marquina, pledged support for wider dissemination to foster a "safer, more respectful digital environment free from control." The company cannot investigate communications or classify messages as abusive.

The effort forms part of the broader "Uncover the violence. It doesn't always leave a mark" campaign, started on November 25 for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, and spreads via the Equality Network. Cadena hopes it will provide tools for women to spot gender violence and access resources.