The seminar is attended by experts from Latvia’s “Marta” Centre, staff of the Secretariat of the Commissioner of the Oliy Majlis for Human Rights (Ombudsman), as well as representatives of non-governmental non-profit organizations and civil society institutions.

The relevance of the topic lies in the fact that, to properly identify cases of cyberviolence, provide legal and practical assistance to victims, and effectively organize inter-agency cooperation, the staff of the Ombudsman must possess modern knowledge and skills. This, in turn, will contribute to increasing legal awareness among the population and implementing international recommendations in practice.

According to the World Health Organization, one in ten women in the online space experiences some form of cyberviolence from the age of 15. Research by the European Institute for Gender Equality shows that cyberviolence can affect anyone; however, women and girls are more likely to become its main target. Such violence can cause serious harm to their physical and mental health and may also lead to financial difficulties.

Within the framework of the seminar, participants are receiving information on the types and forms of cyberviolence, manifestations of discrimination in the online space, as well as the distinctions between “freedom of expression” and discriminatory content. Through practical exercises, they will analyze real-life situations, explore methods of assisting victims, work with digital evidence, and study tools for the early detection and prevention of cyberviolence based on international experience.

Press Service of the Commissioner of the Oliy Majlis for Human Rights (Ombudsman)