Technology-Facilitated Abuse: Building Safer Futures in a Rapidly Changing Digital World
Tracks
Ballroom 1: In-Person & Online
Ballroom 2: In-Person Only
Ballroom 3: In-Person Only
Ballroom 4: In-Person Only
| Tuesday, November 24, 2026 |
| 8:40 AM - 9:10 AM |
| Ballroom 1, 2, 3 & 4 |
Overview
Professor Nicola Henry, Global Studies, RMIT University
Speaker
Nicola Henry
Professor of Global Studies
RMIT University
Technology-Facilitated Abuse: Building Safer Futures in a Rapidly Changing Digital World
Presentation Overview
Technology-facilitated abuse has become an increasingly common feature of domestic and family violence, encompassing behaviours such as cyberstalking, image-based sexual abuse, online harassment, sextortion and, more recently, AI-generated sexual abuse. While technologies continue to evolve rapidly, responses across legal, policy, service and industry systems have often struggled to keep pace.
Drawing on more than a decade of research into technology-facilitated abuse, image-based sexual abuse and emerging forms of AI-enabled harm, this keynote examines the strengths and limitations of current responses to gender-based violence, both online and offline. The presentation explores the experiences and impacts of victim-survivors, the challenges of accountability in digital environments, and the opportunities and risks presented by new technologies.
Rather than treating technology-facilitated abuse as a standalone issue, this keynote situates these harms within broader systems of gender inequality, coercive control and violence. Building safer futures requires system-wide responses that strengthen prevention, improve accountability and place the needs and experiences of victim-survivors at the centre of policy and practice.
By reflecting on lessons learned from recent reforms and emerging challenges, the keynote considers what meaningful system transformation might look like and how we can strengthen empowerment, safety and accountability in the years ahead.
Drawing on more than a decade of research into technology-facilitated abuse, image-based sexual abuse and emerging forms of AI-enabled harm, this keynote examines the strengths and limitations of current responses to gender-based violence, both online and offline. The presentation explores the experiences and impacts of victim-survivors, the challenges of accountability in digital environments, and the opportunities and risks presented by new technologies.
Rather than treating technology-facilitated abuse as a standalone issue, this keynote situates these harms within broader systems of gender inequality, coercive control and violence. Building safer futures requires system-wide responses that strengthen prevention, improve accountability and place the needs and experiences of victim-survivors at the centre of policy and practice.
By reflecting on lessons learned from recent reforms and emerging challenges, the keynote considers what meaningful system transformation might look like and how we can strengthen empowerment, safety and accountability in the years ahead.
Biography
Nicola Henry is a Professor of Global Studies in the School of Global, Urban and Social Studies at RMIT University. She is an internationally recognised expert on sexual violence, technology-facilitated abuse and image-based sexual abuse. Her research has informed law reform, policy development and support services across Australia and internationally. She is a Member of the eSafety Commissioner’s Expert Advisory Committee and has advised governments, regulators, technology companies and civil society organisations on responses to online abuse and digital harms. Professor Henry is the co-developer of Umibot, a survivor-centred chatbot designed to support people affected by image-based abuse. Grounded in feminist and design justice approaches, her work focuses on strengthening prevention, accountability and victim-survivor-centred responses to gender-based violence in an increasingly digital world.
