When Does Femicide Begin?

In the context of the alarming rise in femicide cases in Romania, this debate highlights the urgent need to find ways to regulate aggression in the virtual space, which can escalate into real-life tragedies. The discussion draws on well-known cases reported in the national media and on the testimonies of the women featured in the documentary Anatomy of Ordinary Crimes, screened before the debate. The film presents a shocking look at realities society often prefers to ignore: four women from Romania and Belgium share their experiences of harassment, spanning digital violence and sexual abuse, and reveal how authorities’ inaction and collective indifference turn personal trauma into a social one. The debate aims to explore possible answers to key questions: At what point should aggression and verbal harassment — including digital violence — be considered real risk factors that could lead to femicide? How can aggression and harassment in public online spaces be prevented and stopped through effective institutional and legal regulations?