Technology is an essential tool for the economic security, health and wellbeing of remote and regional Australians, providing connections to commerce, services and community. However, the more we are using digital technologies, the more we are exposed to the risks of being online.
The impacts of technology abuse are most acute when used in a domestic and family violence situation. Using technology – mobile phones and other devices, social media, services such as email and banking – perpetrators harass, monitor, stalk, threaten and intimidate as part of their abusive behaviour.
Abuse through technology can be hidden and difficult for practitioners to identify and creates challenges in safely supporting clients across many sectors.
Recent research commissioned by the eSafety Commissioner highlights how one in four children and young people in domestic and family violence situations are subjected to technology-facilitated abuse. Children are either abused directly or used as conduits to gather information and to facilitate the ongoing abuse of the other parent, often unknowingly. The impact on their mental health, their relationships with the non-abusive parent, and their everyday lives are profound.
Living in rural and remote areas compound the risk for women and children. Compromised access to safe and affordable communications technology, a lack of privacy and an expectation within some communities that abuse is kept quiet heighten the effects of technology-facilitated abuse.
eSafety will share key findings from multiple pieces of research into technology-facilitated abuse across the life cycle. We will share insights on ways to identify risks with technology in practice and improve safety for people at risk or experiencing domestic and family violence.
eSafety is the national regulator for online safety. eSafety leads, coordinates, educates and advises on online safety issues and operates a number of regulatory schemes addressing harmful online behaviours.