TIRANA, Dec 6 /ATA/ – The Minister of Interior Albana Kociu said on Saturday that combating digital violence is a shared societal battle that can only be won through awareness, education, mutual respect and responsible language in online spaces.
Interior Minister said that the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign underscores a simple truth: violence cannot be tackled by institutions alone.
“Online abuse is not a ‘joke’. It is a phenomenon that damages lives and must be treated and punished as such,” she said, adding that authorities are strengthening legal protections in the new Penal Code to address online bullying, stalking and psychological violence.
However, Kociu stressed that legislation alone is not enough without a broader cultural shift.
“Digital violence is fueled by the language we use and what we tolerate online. This is not a battle the state can win by itself or simply through increased online policing,” she said.
“If we truly want to fight it seriously, it is not enough to increase criminal prosecutions or improve laws. We must change culture, language and behavior,” Kociu added.
She said the Interior Ministry, in cooperation with the Education Ministry, has designed awareness and sensitization programmes in schools, including initiatives on online safety and helping young people understand which online actions may constitute criminal offences.
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