Why online abuse is real violence, and why Albania is preparing to act
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When Zhaklin Lekatari, 43, was a child, she wished she had been born a boy. She learned early that being a girl meant fewer freedoms and greater expectations. “After a certain age, I had to protect myself,” she recalls.
Today, Zhaklin Lekatari, is a journalist and feminist activist who speaks openly about women’s rights, their economic autonomy, sexual education, and especially online violence. That engagement has come at a cost: harsh scrutiny, violent comments, and frequent threats.
But the discomfort that once made her feel unsafe eventually became the source of her activism.
Online abuse did not stop her. Instead, she began documenting the hate. In 2023, with support from UN Women and the Embassy of France, she turned hundreds of threatening messages into an art exhibition. “Naming the violence is the first act of resistance,” she says. “Transforming it into public dialogue is the second.”
A growing global crisis, and Albania is no exception
Digital violence is rising everywhere. Nearly half of the world’s women and girls (44 per cent) have no legal protection against digital violence, according to World Bank data.
Lekatari’s experience is far from isolated. In Albania, 41 per cent of women and girls active online have experienced at least one form of digital violence, and nearly one in four women report psychological harm resulting from online attacks, according to UN Women research “The dark side of Digitalization: Technology-facilitated violence against women in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.”
“Online violence is real violence,” Lekatari emphasizes. “The scars may not be visible, but they stay in your voice, your silence, your fear of showing your face or using your real name.”
The consequences can be fatal. According to preliminary findings from the 2024 Femicide Report, to be launched in 2026, two women committed suicide as a result of blackmail, threats, and psychological pressure received online. Despite reporting the abuse, the response system was unable to protect them and save their lives.
Police data shows that 90 per cent of perpetrators of online violence against women are men aged 15-44. More than half of the survivors are under 18. Stalking, extortion, bullying, and hate speech are among the most frequently reported abuses to iSIGURT.al, the Albanian National Centre for Internet Safety. The platform analyzes incidents in the online space, works with technology companies to remove harmful content, and alerts police when crimes are involved.
Yet many survivors, especially girls, hesitate to report. “They fear judgment, blame or social pressure,” says Ervina Gjana, Head of Cybercrime Investigation Directorate at the Albanian State Police.
Parents often underestimate the risks. “Many still do not understand how unsafe the digital world can be,” says Altin Hazizaj, Director of Child Rights Center in Albania, managing iSIGURT.al.
To address rising cases over the past three years, iSIGURT.al is launching the first Hotline for Reporting Online Violence Against Women and Girls in Albania and the Western Balkans.
UN Women warns that digital abuse mirrors offline discrimination: deepfakes, hate speech, and gendered disinformation all reinforce the message that women’s voices and presence are “unwelcome,” especially in public life.
For Zhaklin Lekatari, the causes are clear. “It’s a mix of misogyny, legal gaps, impunity, and the algorithm”.
Albania’s legal and institutional systems have struggled to keep pace. Specific legislation addressing digital violence against women and girls is still lacking, specialized police units are limited, with slow proceedings discouraging reporting.
A major legal shift underway
This is beginning to change. Albania is preparing a new law on the “Prevention and Protection from Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence”. The law is expected to formally recognize digital violence against women as a criminal offence, in line with existing EU legislation.
“The new law will provide clear definitions of digital violence against women, and faster reporting and protection procedures,” says Iris Aliaj, a lawyer and UN Women expert who is working on the draft law.
This work has been supported by the Government of Sweden through the UN Joint Programme “Ending Violence against Women and Girls in Albania”.
The legislation defines threats, harassment, stalking, and non-consensual image sharing as forms of violence. It expands institutional responsibilities so that digital violence is treated as seriously as offline violence. It also strengthens access to legal aid and psychosocial support.
The law is also expected to establish a clear pathway for removing abusive digital content, a critical component of survivors’ protection. When intimate photos, videos, or personal information are shared without consent, State Police can be called upon to take urgent action and guide survivors to safety.
Police say cooperation with platforms like Meta, TikTok, and Snapchat has improved, though challenges remain. “Harmful material spreads in seconds and continues to circulate even after removal,” notes Ervina Gjana.
For Lekatari, legal changes are only one part of the solution. “Platforms must take legal responsibility for the content they profit from. And the media must stop feeding the culture of digital violence or rage bait for sensationalism.”
Despite the risks, Zhaklin Lekatari continues to speak out. “Activism is a way of living. Human rights have no hierarchy.” Her message is simple: “Support and solidarity towards others are acts of resistance.”
To report cases or seek urgent protection from the Albanian State Police, see below:
- The Cybercrime Investigation Directorate phone line: +355 69 4155 552
- Email: CC@asp.gov.al
- The State Police platform “Denonco Krimin Kibernetik” for complaints and assistance