Technology and Domestic Abuse

Awareness and Empowerment

Technology-facilitated abuse is a form of controlling behavior that involves the use of technology as a means to coerce, stalk or harass another person. The same technologies that safeguard us, ease our routines, and enrich our experiences are being manipulated by abusers to exert control over their victims. Technology facilitated abuse is a challenging issue and more needs to be done to combat it. Narika is responding to this evolving concern by raising awareness through webinars and working with tech industry leaders in the Bay Area, where our organization was founded. Below you will also find a list of resources to aid survivors of abuse in their pursuit for tech safety.

Examples of Tech Abuse include:

Sending abusive, violent or harassing text or chat messages to a victim to control or threaten them
Controlling or forbidding a victim’s access to technology, social media or other methods of seeking help, connecting with others, or finding resources
Sharing intimate photos of someone without their consent or posting “revenge porn” as punishment for a perceived offense or for denying the abusers wishes.
Spying on, monitoring or cyberstalking a victim through tracking systems, spyware or a surveillance device
Hacking a victims devices to access their information without their consent
Checking someone’s messages, photos or internet search history without their permission
Stealing someone’s social media identity to harass or defame them
Making someone prove where they are or who they are with by sending photos of their location

An abuser will do this to isolate a victim from their loved ones, keep track of their movements, and perpetuate a cycle of control and abuse that takes power away from the victim. Doing any of the above to an intimate partner is intimate partner violence. If you feel someone may be doing this to you, seek help by calling our helpline at 1-800-215-7308.

Statistics:

According to NNEDV:

97% of domestic violence programs report that abusers use technology to stalk, harass and control victims.
80% of programs report that abusers monitor survivors’ social media accounts
86% report that victims are harassed through social media
1 in 4 stalking victims report cyber stalking, including receiving unwanted emails, texts and calls