Hanan Harat

Morocco — Participants in the conference emphasized the alarming rise of digital violence against women and girls in Morocco, noting that most victims are unable to report incidents due to fear and stigma, while the anonymity of perpetrators represents a troubling trend.

On Tuesday, November 25, in Casablanca, the Challenge for Equality and Citizenship Association organized a press conference under the slogan “Under the Fire of Clicks: The Hell of Digital Violence” to present its new report on digital violence against women and girls in Morocco and announce the establishment of the National Observatory for the Protection of Women and Girls from Digital Violence. The event coincided with the UN’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.

Rising Cases and Key Statistics

The association revealed that its listening centers—both fixed and mobile units—recorded 535 cases in recent months. Data showed that women and girls aged 18–35 represent 40% of the victims.

The report also found that a higher educational level among women correlates with increased exposure to digital violence, attributed to greater use of digital communication platforms and active engagement in the virtual space. Sending suggestive images was the most common form of abuse, followed by financial extortion at 14%.

Regarding the identity of perpetrators, the report indicated that 68% remain anonymous, while 31% are known to the victims. The association noted that most victims—whether adults or schoolgirls—choose not to report incidents, with fewer than 70 cases reaching the courts, despite the seriousness of the messages, images, and videos sent.

‘Alarming Data on the Spread of Violence’

Association president Bouchra Abdo stated that the conference focused on three main themes: presenting the thematic report on digital violence, launching the National Protection Observatory, and analyzing legal rulings related to victims.

Abdo explained that the association, through fieldwork conducted in listening centers and mobile units across several Casablanca hubs, observed “alarming” indicators regarding the spread of digital violence among women. She pointed out that 79% of women are unable to report digital violence, a figure that “reflects the level of fear and stigma preventing victims from coming forward.”

She highlighted a major challenge: the “anonymous perpetrator,” which she described as “a frightening indicator,” given the high number of cases where victims cannot identify the individual targeting them. She confirmed that young women aged 18 to 28, especially university students, are the most exposed group due to their active presence on digital platforms.

Abdo added that WhatsApp is the most commonly used tool in these abuses, due to the ease of sending images, messages, and sexually suggestive content. The association, in partnership with 13 organizations from seven regions, engaged in collective discussions to develop practical mechanisms to monitor and confront the issue. This effort resulted in the launch of the National Observatory for Protection from Digital Violence, which is built on four key pillars: documentation, monitoring, support, and advocacy.

She emphasized that the observatory aims to produce accurate data on the spread of digital violence in both urban and rural areas and to focus on cases involving women with disabilities, women with dark skin, and other vulnerable groups.

Abdo concluded by stating that the observatory is “a civil mechanism open to all associations wishing to join,” and seeks to strengthen cooperation with state institutions and organize awareness initiatives. She affirmed that confronting the rise of digital violence in Morocco requires combined efforts from all stakeholders to curb this escalating phenomenon.

‘Digital Violence Figures Sound the Alarm’

For her part, the association’s coordination and advocacy officer, Rajaa Hameen, stated that digital violence “has risen to a worrying level and is eating away at all components of Moroccan society.” She affirmed that the meeting resulted in important recommendations that represent a key step toward confronting this growing threat.
“The conference shed light on the statistical dimension—whether the figures issued by official institutions or those collected by the association through its listening centers and mobile units,” she said.

She stressed that these numbers sound the alarm and require serious reflection on how to intensify efforts and work collectively to help women and girls out of the dark tunnel of digital violence. She added that the meeting’s recommendations touched on various areas, including strengthening the legal framework, integrating digital safety education within schools, and highlighting the role of media outlets and social institutions in raising awareness and protecting women.

Hameen emphasized the importance of collaborative action, saying:
“We hope to work hand in hand to build a safe digital space for women and girls—one that preserves their dignity and protects them from all forms of violence.

‘A Silence-Breaking Violence’

Chorouk Majait, director of the Mohamed Aztout Training Center for women in difficult situations, affiliated with the Al-Amal Women’s Association in Tetouan and a member of the observatory, explained that the establishment of the National Observatory for Protection from Digital Violence came as part of efforts to combat this type of abuse, which she described as “a silenced violence.” She noted that the observatory’s objectives are to monitor the phenomenon, document cases, provide support to victims, advocate for their rights, and produce accurate national data on digital violence in both urban and rural areas.

She emphasized that the observatory will cover seven regions across Morocco to ensure support reaches as many women and girls as possible, stressing the necessity of united efforts among women’s associations, as many victims live in isolation, which may even drive some to suicide.