The “16 days” campaign – Online violence: deepfake, revenge porn, catfishing
27 11 2025
Online violence is evolving faster than the tools to counter it are being developed. The development of artificial intelligence, the ease of creating false identities and the popularity of social media platforms mean that more and more people are experiencing harms that only a few years ago seemed possible.
Deepfake, revenge porn and catfishing are real forms of violence, that violate dignity, safety and privacy, and their effects penetrate far beyond the digital space – also into university, professional and personal lives.
Deepfake is content generated or modified using artificial intelligence-based tools to realistically portray a person in situations that never actually happened. 96% of all deepfakes on the internet are pornographic and the victims are almost exclusively women [1].
Revenge porn involves sharing intimate photos or recordings without the consent of the person depicted, often as revenge after a break-up or during a conflict.
Catfishing refers to the impersonation of another person in order to inspire trust and build a relationship for the purpose of phishing or emotional manipulation. Approximately 30 percent of people using dating apps have experienced contact with someone who has impersonated someone else, and the phenomenon is increasing with the rise of social media [2].
Although the forms of violence are digital, the legal consequences are as real as possible. There are no separate offences in Polish law defining these new forms of violence, but specific behaviours are criminalised in various provisions of the Penal Code.
According to Article 191a of the Penal Code, it is illegal to record or disseminate an image of a person naked or in the course of sexual activity without their consent. Many online offences are also qualified as persistent harassment (Article 190a of the Penal Code) or computer fraud (Article 287 of the Penal Code). The right to an image and personal property, protected by Articles 23 and 24 of the Civil Code, are also frequently violated.
How to react? Firstly: document – record the content, take screenshots and collect evidence that will help in possible reporting. Second: use the mechanisms for blocking and reporting abuse on social media platforms. Third: report incidents to relevant university units and support organisations. In situations of imminent danger, contact the police.
Digital crimes are not “harmless pranks”, but serious tools of violence that strike at the dignity, safety and autonomy of individuals. Only together can we create a space free from violence, intimidation and manipulation.
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We would like to remind you of reliable sources of information and places where you can find help:
Feminoteka Foundation supporting women experiencing violence, providing free legal, psychological and therapeutic assistance
Feminoteka Foundation women’s helpline 888 88 33 88 free, confidential and professional help offered by Feminoteka Foundation experts to women who have experienced violence
Women’s Rights Centre support for women whose rights are violated, in particular women experiencing violence, free psychological, legal and social assistance, civic and professional advice
Blue line number 800 120 002 free and confidential support of the Polish National Referral Service for Victims of Family Violence “Blue Line”.
Help map – an interactive map of Poland, containing information about places where women can obtain legal, psychological, social support or accommodation, created by the Czas Kobiet Foundation
Information on support institutions at the University of Warsaw can be found here.
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[1] Sensity AI, The State of Deepfakes 2020, 2020.
[2] Pew Research Center, Dating and Relationships in the Digital Age, 2020.
[3] Act of 6 June 1997. – Penal Code (Journal of Laws 1997 no. 88 item 553 as amended).
[4] Act of 23 April 1964. – Civil Code (Journal of Laws 1964 no. 16 item 93 as amended).
Development of definitions based on: Forbes, Deepfake, Revenge Porn, And The Impact on Women, 2025.