“Ireland must confront digital violence against women.”

Senator O’Loughlin calls for action on her catfishing bill as the UN marks the Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

“As the International Day for the Elimination of Violence turns its focus to digital harm, now is the moment to act by establishing catfishing as a standalone offence,” Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O’Loughlin has said.

This year’s United Nations designated day highlights the escalating reality of digital abuse against women and Senator O’Loughlin said Ireland must respond by updating its laws to reflect how violence against women is evolving.

She said the passage of her bill to make catfishing a specific criminal offence would be “a step in the right direction for fighting new forms of violence against women.”

Speaking Senator O’Loughlin stated:

“38% of women have experienced online violence and 85% have witnessed digital abuse against others. The nature of violence against women is changing.

“Technology is evolving and abuse is evolving with it. It is being used to harm women and girls in new and alarming ways.

“We need to urgently adapt how we address these emerging forms of violence and my bill would be a meaningful step in that direction.”

Senator O’Loughlin reintroduced her Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person (Amendment) Bill 2025 last April. The legislation would make catfishing a standalone criminal offence, allowing An Garda Síochána to properly investigate and act where individuals are harmed by online deception.

The bill would also give victims whose identities have been stolen a clear legal route to access data from dating apps and social media platforms. This is information many companies currently withhold unless compelled by a court order. As a result, victims are often left without any means to remove stolen images or to find out what has been done in their name.

“Minister O’Callaghan has made real progress in tackling more traditional forms of violence through the progression of measures like the domestic violence register and the Zero Tolerance Action Plan. Now we must turn urgently to the digital sphere.

“We need to make our legal system fit for the digital age and protect women from abuse that is every bit as damaging as what happens offline.

“We should be tackling all forms of violence against women. Laws shape norms and by making catfishing a criminal offence we begin to address the new threats women face online.”

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