Technology-facilitated abuse – what you need to know
Technology facilitated abuse, sometimes also known as tech abuse, is an extension of coercion and harassment in situations of domestic and family violence. Technology facilitated abuse is sadly becoming a common form of abuse throughout the world.
Tech abuse can include abusive messages, threats made over the phone, creating fake social media accounts to harass you or post negative comments about you online, sharing or threating to share intimate images of you, even the taking over of your account and the tracking of you via a mobile phone or device.
These behaviors are a crime under Australian law and should be reported to police. No one deserves to be abused, threatened or stalked by someone using technology.
If anyone in the veteran community or someone you know is experiencing tech abuse, please contact helplines below. Call triple zero (000) in an emergency.
- Open Arms – Veteran & Families Counselling: 1800 011 046
- 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732
- Mensline Aust: 1300 789 978
- Kids Help Line: 1800 55 1800
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
If you want to know more about technology facilitated abuse, or to identify if you are in fact suffering tech abuse, the eSafety Commissioner's website has lots of helpful details.