Cyber Violence Against Women in Haryana: A Socio-Legal Dimension

Abstract

The rise of digital communication has dramatically reshaped social and economic interactions globally, facilitating connectivity and knowledge exchange across unprecedented scales. However, this digital revolution has simultaneously given rise to new forms of gendered violence, which disproportionately target women. Cyber Violence Against Women (CVAW) encompasses a spectrum of abuses, including online harassment, cyberstalking, non-consensual dissemination of intimate images, identity theft, and other forms of technology-enabled abuse. This study focuses on CVAW in India, examining both doctrinal and socio-legal frameworks, with particular attention to Haryana—a state marked by rapid urbanization and digitization yet steeped in entrenched patriarchal norms. The paper critically evaluates the interaction between constitutional guarantees, statutory provisions, and judicial interpretations, including the newly enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) alongside Information Technology laws. Further, it situates India’s approach within the global legal landscape, comparing institutional responses in Kerala and Telangana, and identifies systemic gaps in enforcement. Empirical evidence, including case studies and National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) cyber-crime data, demonstrates that legal reforms alone are insufficient; effective mitigation of CVAW requires complementary socio-cultural and institutional interventions. The paper proposes a comprehensive approach, integrating legislative clarity, institutional capacity building, digital literacy initiatives, and broader societal transformation.