Yolanda Domínguez has led this legal battle through her strong commitment to equality and women’s rights, seeking recognition of sexist digital violence and a meaningful, positive outcome for all women.
In 2019, she was sued by the YouTuber “Un tío blanco hetero” (“A Straight White Guy”) after stating on social media that he was violent toward women, referring to his online activity. This led to a legal process lasting nearly six years, during which Yolanda Domínguez prevailed in the Court of Appeal. That victory was subsequently upheld by the Supreme Court of Spain and reaffirmed a third time when the Constitutional Court of Spain dismissed the constitutional appeal in May 2024. Throughout these six years of litigation, Yolanda Domínguez was supported by women’s organizations, legal professionals, and fellow members of the feminist movement.
The YouTuber had published videos on his channel mocking and belittling Yolanda Domínguez’s feminist work, prompting numerous hateful messages from his followers, including: “Yolanda Domínguez should be killed,” “I wonder if we could hang Yolanda Domínguez in a public square,” and “I think she should be burned alive in the town square.” During the years the legal proceedings were ongoing, he continued producing content aimed at undermining the activist’s voice on social media and making an example of her as a warning to other women.
Combating digital violence and protecting women online has become a priority both across Europe and within Spain’s public policy agenda. This form of violence has been explicitly recognized in the 2025 State Pact against Gender Violence.
As efforts to address digital violence continue to advance, Yolanda Domínguez’s legal victory represents an important contribution to understanding a phenomenon that is deeply harmful both to women and to democracy. It also offers hope and confidence in public institutions and the justice system as effective means of defending fundamental rights.
PRECEDENT-SETTING CASE LAW
This is an unprecedented legal victory in Spain. It has established case law regarding the scope of responsibility of YouTubers and other social media account holders, creating a legal precedent that can be relied upon by other women who experience digital violence.
Articles covering the legal victory:
https://www.publico.es/mujer/violencia-machista/hay-youtubers-alimentan-odio-negocio-depende.html
https://www.eldiario.es/politica/politica-directo-ultima-hora_6_10312776_1101191.html
https://www.elmundo.es/espana/2024/06/03/665dc5ffe9cf4aa47c8b457e.html
https://www.cronicalibre.com/feminismo-y-sociedad/yolanda-dominguez-gana-juicio/
