Activist Olimpia Coral, a victim of digital violence, sees her persistence pay off as reforms to the General Law on Women's Access to a Life Free of Violence are published in the Federation's Official Gazette. The Olimpia Law regarding digital and media violence will enter into force on June 2, 2021.
Digital violence is defined in Olimpia Law as acts of extortion, harassment, threats, violation of data and private information, and the circulation of sexual content without consent through social networks, undermining the integrity, freedom, personal life, and rights of mainly affecting women.
The Olimpia Law establishes that the crime of violation of sexual privacy is committed when images, videos or audios with intimate sexual content of a person of legal age are disclosed, shared, distributed or published without authorization. Anyone who attempts to extort, harassment or share intimate photos, videos or audio of a sexual nature without consent, causing psychological or emotional damage, will be sentenced to 6 years in prison and fines of 500 - 1000 units measurement and updating (UMAs).
A more substantial punishment will apply if the aggressor is a family member, partner, or someone in a position of authority, such as an employer or teacher.
The law also establishes that those who use telecommunications, the internet or any other means to contact a person under 18 years of age and share sexual images, audio or video, acts of sexual connotation or request sexual encounters, known as grooming, will be imprisoned.
Online violence promotes sexist stereotypes, advocates violence against women and children, and promotes victim-blaming and shaming. This law protects a woman's right to a sexual life free of violence.
