Legal Frameworks Protecting Domestic Violence Survivors Digitally

Abstract

The digital age has fundamentally transformed the landscape of domestic violence, creating new avenues for abuse while simultaneously challenging traditional legal frameworks designed to protect survivors. This paper examines the evolution of legal protections for domestic violence survivors confronting technology-facilitated abuse, analyzing recent legislative developments including the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization of 2022, the federal Take It Down Act of 2025, and state-level coercive control legislation. Through critical analysis of international conventions, federal statutes, and emerging case law, this study reveals persistent gaps in legal frameworks despite progressive reforms. The paper argues that effective protection requires interdisciplinary approaches integrating criminal law, civil remedies, platform accountability, and survivor-centered policies. By examining the intersection of technology, law, and gendered violence, this research contributes to ongoing debates about digital safety, privacy rights, and the modernization of domestic violence law to address 21st-century threats.