Technology-facilitated abuse: Extent, nature and responses in the Australian community

“I wanted an answer from her, and so I just called her about 150 times in, I don’t know, a two-hour period. And she didn’t pick up, but I just kept doing that.” The use of technology to perpetrate violence against women is a rapidly growing and serious problem in Australia. However, there is a scarcity of research about what motivates perpetrators to engage in technology-facilitated abuse (TFA). Understanding these motivations will be vital in helping to identify gaps in our knowledge of TFA and, importantly, in exploring potential solutions to prevent, detect and dissuade TFA perpetration. This webinar launched the two final reports within a national study examining the extent and nature of, and responses to, technology-facilitated abuse within the Australia community: Technology-facilitated abuse: Interviews with victims and survivors and perpetrators and Technology-facilitated abuse: National survey of Australian adults’ experiences. This webinar gives viewers insight into one of the first global studies to engage with perpetrators using qualitative methods to understand drivers, experiences and characteristics of, and motivations for, TFA. Using a nationally representative survey of Australians aged 18 years and over, this webinar will also help you understand the national prevalence rates for the victimisation and perpetration of key behavioural subtypes of TFA, including which groups are particularly affected. Featuring a panel discussion of researchers, practitioners and policymakers, this webinar unpacks the evidence and discusses how the findings will shape future efforts to prevent and respond to TFA. This discussion is facilitated by Padma Raman PSM (CEO, ANROWS) with: Dr Asher Flynn, Associate Professor, Criminology, Monash University Ela Stewart, Manager Legal Centre and Policy, InTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence Carolyn Wilkes, Manager, Women’s Programs, eSafety Commission Joanne Yates, General Manager – Advocacy and Communications, No to Violence This webinar is designed for policymakers, practice designers, practitioners and researchers working in domestic and family violence, and those working with technology in essential service provision from gas, electricity and financial services to telecommunications and internet service providers.