Brazil sees 188% surge in digital violence reports against women

The Ministry of Women disclosed that complaints of digital violence against women rose 188.6% in the first five months of 2026, increasing from 5,795 cases in the same period of 2025 to 16,725 reported to the Ligue 180 hotline. About 30% of the roughly 3,000 daily calls to the service are classified as complaints.

In response, the government updated Ligue 180’s protocols to record crimes such as virtual rape, sextortion, non‑consensual image sharing, deep‑fake abuse and online violations of protective orders. Around 350 operators received specialised training and the service’s intake form was revised to capture the new categories.

The changes are anchored in presidential decree 12 976/2026, which sets obligations for digital platforms to remove non‑consensual intimate content within two hours and outlines protective measures for women online. The decree took effect on 19 June 2026. Opposition legislators have introduced several bills aiming to repeal the decree, arguing it exceeds executive authority.

Victim profiling shows that women of Black ethnicity account for 48% of the reports, with the 35‑44 age group representing the highest share (21.6%). Nearly half of the victims earn up to a minimum wage, highlighting socioeconomic vulnerability.