Digital Abuse

Every kind of abuse that can happen offline can happen online. Also known as online abuse, or technology facilitated abuse (TFA), an abuser may be using digital media to harass, control and manipulate you. This can have far-reaching, long-lasting consequences. 

Digital abuse may includes online and technology abuse, online shaming and stalking and the non-consensual sharing of explicit images (‘revenge porn’).

• Sharing or threatening to share private pictures, videos or messages online without your consent. This is also known as “intimate image abuse” or “revenge porn” and it is illegal.
• Online shaming.
• Creating fake profiles to harass you or impersonate you.
• Controlling your access to social media accounts or finances.
• Controlling who you are allowed to be friends with.
• Incessant contact, bombarding you with messages, sometimes through multiple platforms or channels. Expecting an immediate reply and becoming furious or suspicious if there’s a delay.
• Denying you access to technology, for example; taking away your phone or not allowing you access to credit or the internet.
• Accessing your accounts without your knowledge consent, replying to friends and family as you.
• Location sharing – needing to know where you are ALL the time.
• Sending abusive messages to threaten or harass you and/or your family and friends.
• Checking your search history or monitoring your online activity. For example; monitoring who comments or likes your posts.
• Demanding passwords to your online accounts.
• Using technology to track your whereabouts.

Responding to Technology Facillitated Abuse

No one deserves to be abused. If you are being subjected to any of these abusive behaviours, call us when it is safe to do so. We will help you begin to think through your next move, with your safety as our highest priority.