Support service resources

These resources are for frontline workers supporting people dealing with technology-facilitated domestic, family and sexual violence.

Technology-facilitated abuse or 'tech-based abuse' includes things that happen online or that use digital technology, including harassment, making threats, stalking and patterns of controlling behaviour.

This resource hub includes links to information and advice for frontline workers as well as online safety resources to share with clients – like how to get help and safe ways to stay connected with family, friends and community.

You should always consider what steps are right, relevant and safe for someone to take depending on their situation. For example, specific safety issues may differ depending on whether a person is still in the relationship, whether they're living with the abusive person, or whether children are involved.

Understanding tech-based abuse

This information will help you understand the signs and take steps to support people dealing with tech-based domestic, family and sexual violence and coercive control.

You can also explore our literature scan of technology-facilitated domestic, family and sexual violence which provides a summary of the nature, prevalence, impacts and responses to this issue.

Domestic violence

Find out how to deal with domestic, family and sexual violence that happens online or uses digital technology.

Sexual violence

Sexual violence is sexual behaviour that occurs without consent. Learn about the different types of tech-based sexual violence and the impacts.

Coercive control

It can be difficult to recognise tech-based coercive control. This page explains some of the common signs and how to get help.

Get advice now

Frontline workers can contact eSafety’s TFA support service for advice when they're supporting clients or someone dealing with technology-facilitated abuse as part of domestic, family and sexual violence.

The service provides a range of advice including information about online safety planning, how to deal with tech-based abuse and how to report online abuse.

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How to help someone dealing with tech-based abuse

If someone you know is experiencing tech-based domestic, family or sexual violence, these steps can help you support them.

Find out more

Online safety planning

Online safety planning can help someone experiencing tech-based domestic, family or sexual violence to stay connected with friends and family.

Create an online safety checklist

An online safety checklist can help someone to stay connected through technology when they're experiencing tech-based abuse.

Keeping children safe online

Supporting children dealing with tech-based abuse can be challenging, but there are ways to help them to stay safe online.

Manage digital safety settings

Making the most of the security features on devices can help to secure online accounts and keep personal information safe.

Collect evidence safely

Know what to tell clients about collecting evidence safely when dealing with tech-based domestic, family or sexual violence.

Police and legal help

Find out how police and legal services can help to protect and support someone experiencing tech-based abuse.

Professional development

Courses for frontline workers

eSafety delivers free learning modules and webinars to upskill frontline workers and others who support people experiencing tech-based abuse.

This includes sessions about how to support clients to identify and respond to tech-based abuse in domestic, family and sexual violence situations.

Learn more

Support for disability workers

eSafety provides resources and professional development for disability workforces, as well as downloadable materials in an Easy Read format and posters to help explain online abuse.

Resources for clients

eSafety has a range of resources to support people dealing with domestic, family and sexual violence. You can share them with your clients, based on their needs.

Technology quiz

Take our technology quiz and find out how to stay in control of your online safety.

Technology tour

Go on an interactive technology tour to learn about online safety basics when you're out and at home.

'How to' videos

Audio
Bluetooth gives you wireless access to devices like speakers and your phone. You may not want Bluetooth on all of the time. It might disclose to others that you're nearby or might just want to save battery. To turn off Bluetooth on a Windows computer, open Settings. Click on Devices. Click on Bluetooth. Switch the Bluetooth setting to off. Bluetooth is now turned off. You need to be aware that turning off Bluetooth is not an option if you're using a wireless keyboard or mouse that requires Bluetooth to function.

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Bluetooth gives you wireless access to devices like speakers and your phone.

You may not want Bluetooth on all of the time.

It might disclose to others that you're nearby or might just want to save battery.

To turn off Bluetooth on a Windows computer, open Settings.

Click on Devices.

Click on Bluetooth.

Switch the Bluetooth setting to off.

Bluetooth is now turned off.

You need to be aware that turning off Bluetooth is not an option if you're using a wireless keyboard or mouse that requires Bluetooth to function.

How to turn off Bluetooth on PC

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Wi-fi lets you connect to wireless networks in your vicinity. Connecting to unsecured networks comes with some risks, so it's a good idea to turn off wi-fi when it's not needed. To turn off wi-fi, open Settings. Tap Wi-Fi. Swipe to turn wi-fi off. Wi-fi is now turned off and you can't connect to wi-fi networks until you turn it on again. Since unsecured wi-fi comes with risks to your information, it's also a good idea to forget unsecured networks when you leave them. To forget a network, open Settings. Tap Wi-Fi. Tap the Information icon next to the network's name you would like to forget. Then tap Forget This Network.

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Wi-fi lets you connect to wireless networks in your vicinity.

Connecting to unsecured networks comes with some risks, so it's a good idea to turn off wi-fi when it's not needed.

To turn off wi-fi, open Settings.

Tap Wi-Fi.

Swipe to turn wi-fi off.

Wi-fi is now turned off and you can't connect to wi-fi networks until you turn it on again.

Since unsecured wi-fi comes with risks to your information, it's also a good idea to forget unsecured networks when you leave them.

To forget a network, open Settings.

Tap Wi-Fi.

Tap the Information icon next to the network's name you would like to forget.

Then tap Forget This Network.

How to turn off wi-fi on Apple devices

Watch more videos about how to adjust basic safety settings on different devices.

First Nations resources

This video is part of a suite of materials to support First Nations people dealing with domestic and family violence.

Audio
Aunty Deb: Hello, Shay, how's everything going? You OK? Shay: Oh, hi, Aunty Deb. Uh, it's getting worse. Eli's now hacking into my accounts. Aunty Deb: Oh, I'm so sorry, bub. When did you first notice? Shay: Last night, he logged into my Instagram and then he posted a pic of me that was just meant for him. I couldn't even log into my account because he changed my password and everything. I managed to disable my account. Aunty Deb: Oh, bub, I'm so sorry that this is happening to you right now, but I'm happy to help you set up some stronger passwords. But, remember, bub, you don't have to disable any of your accounts for him, alright? Shay: I feel like I have no control. Aunty Deb: He doesn't have control over you.
Shay: He's still trying to contact me. I blocked his number ages ago but now he's using random numbers. I don't know how he got my new number, but Eli's new woman keeps messaging me some real nasty stuff. Friend: Oh nyorn, sis, that's shit.
Aunty Deb: Shay, if you wanna report this to the police, I can help you do that. And I can also help collect all the evidence safely too. Shay: Mm, I don't know about contacting the police. Aunty Deb: Mm, I know, bub. I completely understand and you know what, you don't have to make that decision right now, but it's important for you to collect all that evidence just in case you wanna do something about it in the future, yeah? The most important thing is that you feel safe in your own home. Shay: Thanks Aunty Deb.
Shay: I'm worried Eli knows I've got a caseworker. I feel like I'm doing everything right but I just feel like I'm spiralling. Friend: You could talk to these mob at 13Yarn. They can talk to you any time and give you some good advice, ay. They’re crisis support workers and they're confidential. You can give them a call on my phone so Eli can't track it.
Aunty Deb: It'll be okay, Shay. I'm so proud of you. You've been so strong and you've done everything that you can. Remember that, bub. Shay: Thanks, Aunty Deb. A few sister girls have been asking me for help with some stuff they're going through. I didn't realise how many of our mob are going through this. It's not fair. Aunty Deb: It's good that you can offer support, especially while you're going through it. Shay: I reckon that's the best way. We need to be there for each other and call this out for what it is – abuse.

Audio

Aunty Deb: Hello, Shay, how's everything going? You OK?

Shay: Oh, hi, Aunty Deb. Uh, it's getting worse. Eli's now hacking into my accounts.

Aunty Deb: Oh, I'm so sorry, bub. When did you first notice?

Shay: Last night, he logged into my Instagram and then he posted a pic of me that was just meant for him. I couldn't even log into my account because he changed my password and everything. I managed to disable my account.

Aunty Deb: Oh, bub, I'm so sorry that this is happening to you right now, but I'm happy to help you set up some stronger passwords. But, remember, bub, you don't have to disable any of your accounts for him, alright?

Shay: I feel like I have no control.

Aunty Deb: He doesn't have control over you.

Shay: He's still trying to contact me. I blocked his number ages ago but now he's using random numbers. I don't know how he got my new number, but Eli's new woman keeps messaging me some real nasty stuff.

Friend: Oh nyorn, sis, that's shit.

Aunty Deb: Shay, if you wanna report this to the police, I can help you do that. And I can also help collect all the evidence safely too.

Shay: Mm, I don't know about contacting the police.

Aunty Deb: Mm, I know, bub. I completely understand and you know what, you don't have to make that decision right now, but it's important for you to collect all that evidence just in case you wanna do something about it in the future, yeah? The most important thing is that you feel safe in your own home.

Shay: Thanks Aunty Deb.

Shay: I'm worried Eli knows I've got a caseworker. I feel like I'm doing everything right but I just feel like I'm spiralling.

Friend: You could talk to these mob at 13Yarn. They can talk to you any time and give you some good advice, ay. They’re crisis support workers and they're confidential. You can give them a call on my phone so Eli can't track it.

Aunty Deb: It'll be okay, Shay. I'm so proud of you. You've been so strong and you've done everything that you can. Remember that, bub.

Shay: Thanks, Aunty Deb. A few sister girls have been asking me for help with some stuff they're going through. I didn't realise how many of our mob are going through this. It's not fair.

Aunty Deb: It's good that you can offer support, especially while you're going through it.

Shay: I reckon that's the best way. We need to be there for each other and call this out for what it is – abuse.