The EU Council is set to advance its work on combating cyber violence against girls, with a focus on informing draft Council Conclusions. A meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives (Coreper) on 18 February 2026 is expected to approve the attendance of representatives from the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) to present a forthcoming study on the topic before the Social Questions Working Party. This procedural step aims to ensure that the Working Party's deliberations are grounded in empirical evidence.
The initiative falls under the EU's policy areas of gender equality, anti-discrimination, and digital affairs. The EIGE study, once presented, will provide data and analysis on the prevalence and forms of cyber violence targeting girls, which will serve as a basis for the Council's policy discussions. The draft Council Conclusions, which are being prepared, are expected to outline measures for EU member states to address this issue.
Policy orientations and trade-offs
The Council's approach reflects a balance between protecting vulnerable groups and respecting national competencies. While the EU can coordinate and recommend actions, member states retain primary responsibility for criminal law and digital regulation. The trade-off lies between the desire for a harmonised EU-wide response and the need to accommodate diverse national legal frameworks and cultural contexts.
Impact on stakeholders
- EU regulatory bodies: EIGE's involvement strengthens its role as a data provider, but the study's recommendations may increase pressure on the European Commission to propose legislative measures.
- National authorities of EU countries: They will be expected to implement any agreed conclusions, potentially requiring adjustments to national laws on cybercrime and child protection.
- EU civil society and NGOs: Organisations working on gender-based violence may gain new evidence to advocate for stronger protections, but could face challenges if conclusions are non-binding.
- Tech companies: If conclusions lead to stricter regulations on online platforms, companies may face compliance costs related to content moderation and reporting mechanisms.
Expected institutional follow-up
Following Coreper's approval, the EIGE study will be presented to the Social Questions Working Party, which will then draft the Council Conclusions. The conclusions are expected to be adopted by the Council at a later date, after which they may influence future legislative proposals from the European Commission.