Understanding and Responding to Technology Facilitated Abuse Through a Trauma-Informed Lens
Tracks
Room 2: In-Person Only
| Tuesday, November 26, 2024 |
| 1:35 PM - 2:05 PM |
| Room 2 |
Overview
Annabelle Harrison, Wesnet - Womens Services Network
Speaker
Ms Annabelle Harrison
Technology Safety Specialist
Wesnet - Womens Services Network
Understanding and Responding to Technology Facilitated Abuse Through a Trauma-Informed Lens
Abstract
Technology Facilitated Abuse (TFA) has been identified as one of the fastest growing forms of violence against women, and 99.3% of frontline workers were found to have clients experiencing tech abuse in 2020(1). This presentation will provide a brief overview of tech-facilitated abuse in Australia today, including the common and emerging tools and tactics that perpetrators use to facilitate TFA and key underlying principles when working with victim-survivors.
With the rapid evolution of technology, increased demand for DFV services, and survivors experiencing increasingly complex forms of abuse, frontline workers are looking to engage with outside services to help diagnose and manage TFA. A central theme of the presentation will discuss the importance of ensuring trauma informed services and the likely co-existing risks associated when working with survivors experiencing TFA, including the mental health impacts. In many cases, accessing everyday services such as the local phone repair shop or computer store may see victim-survivors placed in greater risk.
Wesnet is the national peak body for specialist women’s domestic violence services across Australia. Representing around 350 domestic violence services across the country, identifying gaps and unmet needs for our service members, contribute to policy and sector debate and inform government policy around issues relating to gender-based violence. Wesnet identified and has been working on the intersection of violence against women and technology since 2011. We have trained over 18,000 frontline workers, police, and magistrates on TFA and provide support through training, policy advice, complex case support for front line workers and by providing access to technology.
1. Woodlock, D., Bentley, K., Schulze, D., Mahoney, N., Chung, D., & Pracilio, A. (2020). Second National Survey of Technology Abuse and Domestic Violence in Australia (pp. 1–72). Canberra: WESNET. Retrieved from https://wesnet.org.au/2ndnatsurvey
Key Learnings:
1. Understanding and responding to tech-facilitated abuse.
2. Identifying and engaging with trauma-informed services to assist clients who are experience tech-facilitated abuse.
3. Exploring the likely co-existing risks associated when working with survivors experiencing TFA, including the mental health impacts.
With the rapid evolution of technology, increased demand for DFV services, and survivors experiencing increasingly complex forms of abuse, frontline workers are looking to engage with outside services to help diagnose and manage TFA. A central theme of the presentation will discuss the importance of ensuring trauma informed services and the likely co-existing risks associated when working with survivors experiencing TFA, including the mental health impacts. In many cases, accessing everyday services such as the local phone repair shop or computer store may see victim-survivors placed in greater risk.
Wesnet is the national peak body for specialist women’s domestic violence services across Australia. Representing around 350 domestic violence services across the country, identifying gaps and unmet needs for our service members, contribute to policy and sector debate and inform government policy around issues relating to gender-based violence. Wesnet identified and has been working on the intersection of violence against women and technology since 2011. We have trained over 18,000 frontline workers, police, and magistrates on TFA and provide support through training, policy advice, complex case support for front line workers and by providing access to technology.
1. Woodlock, D., Bentley, K., Schulze, D., Mahoney, N., Chung, D., & Pracilio, A. (2020). Second National Survey of Technology Abuse and Domestic Violence in Australia (pp. 1–72). Canberra: WESNET. Retrieved from https://wesnet.org.au/2ndnatsurvey
Key Learnings:
1. Understanding and responding to tech-facilitated abuse.
2. Identifying and engaging with trauma-informed services to assist clients who are experience tech-facilitated abuse.
3. Exploring the likely co-existing risks associated when working with survivors experiencing TFA, including the mental health impacts.
Biography
Annabelle Harrison is a Technology Safety Specialist for WESNET where she provides training and technical advice on technology safety issues to front-line service providers. Prior to joining WESNET, Annabelle worked as a Cyber Security Advisor in the Non-for-profit sector and as a Digital Success Manager for a private Information Security consultancy firm. Annabelle is passionate about strengthening an individual's sense of security and believes businesses and corporations are significantly influential during this process.
