Digital Domestic Violence Against Women In Bharat: A Critical Socio-Legal Study Of Cyberstalking, Digital Surveillance, Economic Abuse And Coercive Control
Dr. Deepti Trivedi, Assistant Professor, Department of Law, M.D.S. University, Ajmer, Rajasthan
ORCID ID: 0009-0005-2026-3291
ABSTRACT
The rapid growth of digital technology has transformed family relationships and everyday communication in Bharat. Smartphones, social media, online banking, digital payment systems, messaging applications and location- based services have created valuable opportunities for women in education, employment, financial participation and social interaction. Though, these technologies can also be misused as instruments of domestic abuse. Digital domestic violence refers to the use of digital devices, electronic communication, online platforms or personal information to threaten, monitor, intimidate, harass, control, humiliate or economically restrict women within domestic or intimate relationships. Cyber stalking, digital surveillance, unauthorised access to accounts, password coercion, misuse of private images and digital economic control are important manifestations of this emerging form of abuse.
This research examines digital domestic violence against women in Bharat from a critical socio-legal perspective. It analyses the relevance of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005, the Information Technology Act 2000, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam 2023 and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023. Particular attention is given to electronic monitoring as stalking and the challenges associated with digital evidence. The study argues that existing laws provide important remedies but do not comprehensively address the continuing and complex nature of technology-facilitated domestic abuse. It recommends stronger institutional coordination, specialised training, effective evidence preservation, accessible remedies, digital literacy and greater recognition of coercive control to strengthen the protection of women in the digital age.
Keywords: Digital Domestic Violence, Cyber stalking, Digital Surveillance, Economic Abuse, Coercive Control.
