Description

Laws, Justice and Rights for Women in the Modern Era
Editor: Prof. Dr. Yogesh Kumar Gupta, Ishan Ahmad and Premananda Murmu
Published by Universal Academic Books Publishers and Distributors,
New Delhi (India)
ISBN: 978-81-686113-5-1, 2026

Chapter 10

Cyber Crimes Against Women: Legal Challenges

Jaideep R
The Oxford College of Engineering

Abstract

The rapid evolution of digital infrastructure has fundamentally transformed human communication, but it has concurrently spawned a pervasive digital threat cyber violence targeting women. This paper critically examines the alarming rise of gender-based digital offences including cyberstalking, non-consensual dissemination of intimate images (NCII), morphing, cyberbullying, and online harassment. While these digital transgressions inflict severe psychological, social, and economic trauma on victims, the contemporary legal response remains fragmented and largely inadequate. This study identifies and analyses the primary legal bottlenecks in combating these crimes, specifically focusing on jurisdictional ambiguities across borders, the anonymity facilitated by encrypted platforms, and the institutional insensitivity often encountered during investigation and prosecution. Furthermore, the paper evaluates the efficacy of current statutory frameworks and judicial trends, highlighting the structural lag between technological advancements and legislative action. Ultimately, this research argues for a multi-pronged reform strategy, emphasizing the urgent need for harmonized international cyber-legislations, specialized gender-sensitization training for law enforcement agencies, and proactive content-moderation mandates for social media intermediaries to ensure a safe, egalitarian digital ecosystem for women.

Keywords

Cyber Crimes, Gender-Based Violence, Legal Challenges, Digital Anonymity, Cyberstalking.

1. INTRODUCTION

Cyber crimes against women have become a serious form of gender-based violence in the digital age. These crimes include cyberstalking, online sexual harassment, identity theft, impersonation, publication of private images, “revenge pornography,” cyberbullying, threats, doxxing and the circulation of obscene or defamatory content. Digital platforms allow offenders to act anonymously, contact victims repeatedly and distribute harmful material rapidly. Although India has several legal provisions to address such conduct, effective protection and prosecution remain difficult.