The tech-facilitated abuse (TFA) in domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) presentation focuses on upskilling frontline workers and other professionals who support people experiencing DFSV.

The presentation includes the latest research and data about tech-facilitated abuse in DFSV, the types of violence experienced, and weapons commonly used by perpetrators.
It explores the motivations and intentions for tech-facilitated abuse, highlighting the perpetrators intent to use coercive control to maintain a perceived power over the victim/survivor.

The presentation highlights strategies and guidance to help professionals support victim/survivors to incorporate tech into their safety plans and advice for reporting to police and eSafety.

Case studies are used throughout to demonstrate the experiences of victim/survivors, identify tools and tactics used by perpetrators and the process of reporting to eSafety.

The tech-facilitated abuse (TFA) in domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) presentation focuses on upskilling frontline workers and other professionals who support people experiencing DFSV.

The presentation includes the latest research and data about tech-facilitated abuse in DFSV, the types of violence experienced, and weapons commonly used by perpetrators.
It explores the motivations and intentions for tech-facilitated abuse, highlighting the perpetrators intent to use coercive control to maintain a perceived power over the victim/survivor.

The presentation highlights strategies and guidance to help professionals support victim/survivors to incorporate tech into their safety plans and advice for reporting to police and eSafety.

Case studies are used throughout to demonstrate the experiences of victim/survivors, identify tools and tactics used by perpetrators and the process of reporting to eSafety.

In early 2024, the rates and extremity of violence against women (VAW) saw a rise in media interest and political concern. Largely lost from these conversations was the central role of technology in cases of DFSV.

1 in 2 Australians have experienced Technology-Facilitated Abuse (TFA) in their lifetime. For women, this violence is more likely to be perpetrated by a current or former partner, be more repeated and more severe, with 33% of women reporting their abuser had tried to control them in other ways; and 26% reporting the experience had caused them to fear for their safety.

This panel brings together experts in research, policy and practice to discuss gender-based TFA, and how to improve responses to, and prevention of, this nefarious threat to women’s and children’s safety. Together panellists will share their expertise on:
•     what TFA looks like in 2024;
•     available supports;
•     how survivors can mitigate risks;
•     legislative options; and
•     what prevention strategies look like.

In doing so the panel discussion will illustrate how TFA is entwined in many of the other conference themes; that our approach to gender-based TFA needs to both recognise its ubiquity in our society and the diverse experiences of its victims. In particular, it will centre the expertise of those on the frontlines of working with First Nations women, culturally and linguistically diverse women, and women living in rural, regional and remote Australia.

It will explore where current research and response priorities are and what is on the horizon in terms of threats and opportunities. Finally, by drawing on the insights of those most impacted by this contemporary war on women, but often least heard, we will illustrate they are also the ones that can lead us in preventing gender-based TFA.

Key Learnings:

1. TFA is part of most forms of GBV.

2. Intersectional insights are key to preventing TFA.

3. With emerging tech threats also come new opportunities.