Support service resources

This resource hub is for frontline workers supporting people dealing with technology-facilitated abuse as part of 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. You can learn more on our page about tech-based abuse[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics/tech-based-abuse/about-tech-based-family-domestic-sexual-violence].

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

These resources are designed to help you support clients as part of the broader case management and safety planning you provide. 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.

Warning signs of tech-based abuse

Experiencing tech-based domestic, family and sexual violence can be different for each person. However, there are some common signs and behaviours your clients may be experiencing. Their abuser may be:

setting up all their digital devices and online accounts
restricting access to their devices
gaining access to their banking and social media accounts, and demanding they share passwords
constantly calling, texting and or messaging them
knowing details of private conversations the abuser was not present for
showing up unexpectedly or knowing where they’ve been
using multiple accounts to friend or follow them or their family and friends on social media
posting about them online, including sharing private information
encouraging others to harass and abuse them
threatening to share or post intimate images of them online
giving any children involved digital devices that the abuser controls.

Online safety planning resources

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

Guides for protecting clients at different stages of tech-based abuse

These guides provide practical steps to work through with clients, as part of standard safety planning. Whether a client is thinking about leaving their abuser, has left or is actively working to regain control over their online and digital security, these guides account for specific technology safety considerations for different stages of addressing tech-based abuse.

Guide to support clients thinking about leaving their abuser (PDF, 183.13KB)[https://www.esafety.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-03/Guide-to-support-clients-thinking-about-leaving-their-abuser_WEB_0.pdf?v=1742301006341]

Guide to support clients who've just left their abuser (PDF, 181.29KB)[https://www.esafety.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-03/Guide-to-support-clients-whove-just-left-their-abuser_WEB_0.pdf?v=1742301006341]

Guide to support clients wanting to use technology safely (PDF, 184.71KB)[https://www.esafety.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-03/Guide-to-support-clients-wanting-to-use-technology-safely_WEB_0.pdf?v=1742301006342]

Guide to support clients being digitally tracked or harassed by their abuser (PDF, 183.87KB)[https://www.esafety.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-03/Guide-to-support-clients-being-digitally-tracked-or-harassed-by-their-abuser_WEB_0.pdf?v=1742301006342]

Technology audit

Undertaking this technology audit with your client can help to understand where they might be most vulnerable to digital tracking, harassment and surveillance.

Technology audit (PDF, 236.53KB)[https://www.esafety.gov.au/sites/default/files/2025-03/Technology-audit_WEB_0.pdf?v=1742301006342]

People with children[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics/domestic-family-violence/support-service-resources/supporting-kids-dealing-with-tech-abuse]

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

First Nations[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics/domestic-family-violence/support-service-resources/supporting-kids-dealing-with-tech-abuse]

Explore our family safety resources for First Nations people.

People with disability[https://www.esafety.gov.au/communities/people-with-disability/easy-read]

Find resources in Easy Read format for people with low literacy or a cognitive disability.

Help in more languages[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics/domestic-family-violence/get-help-in-your-language]

Find advice and information about how to deal with tech-based abuse in 15 languages.

Get support service advice now

Frontline workers can contact eSafety’s Technology-Facilitated Abuse Support Service for trauma-informed guidance and advice when they're supporting clients dealing with technology-facilitated abuse as part of family, domestic and sexual violence.

We’re here to help frontline workers support their clients, as part of their comprehensive case management and safety planning.

We can assist frontline workers in safety planning by considering risks for clients when online and using digital technologies. We can also provide guidance, online safety strategies and step by step advice in response to technology-facilitated abuse.

Frontline workers can get in touch using our contact us form or via our direct telephone line for frontline workers.

You can use this form to request details of our telephone service and/or request a call back, as well as provide feedback on our resources or suggestions.

CONTACT OUR TEAM[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics/domestic-family-violence/support-service-resources/enquiries]

Professional development

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

Webinars for frontline workers

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

[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics/domestic-family-violence/support-service-resources/professional-development]

Online learning modules

Explore an in-depth learning module that can be completed in your own time and at your own pace. A certificate will be issued on completion.

[https://frontlineworkers.esafety.gov.au/?_gl=1%2Ati0z2w%2A_gcl_au%2AMjAxNjQ4OTc5NC4xNzM0NDE1NDQ3]

Support for disability workers

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

[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics/domestic-family-violence/support-service-resources/disability-support-workers]

Collect evidence safely[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-issues/domestic-family-violence/help-support/collecting-evidence]

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

Police and legal help[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics/domestic-family-violence/how-to-get-police-and-legal-help]

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

Adult cyber abuse[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics/adult-cyber-abuse/report-adult-cyber-abuse]

eSafety can help your client with the removal of online content that is menacing, harassing or offensive and intended to cause serious harm.

Image-based abuse[https://www.esafety.gov.au/key-topics/image-based-abuse/report-image-based-abuse]

eSafety can help your client with the removal of intimate images or videos that have been shared without their consent, or stop threats.

Get help and support from one of these counselling services

1800RESPECT

If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence, you can get support by calling or texting, or visiting the website for online chat and video call services.

1800 737 732 (Call) [tel:1800 737 732]
0458 737 732 (Text) [tel:0458 737 732]

Website External link[https://www.1800respect.org.au/]

Beyond Blue

All ages. All issues. Phone counselling and online chat available all day, every day.

1300 22 4636 [tel:1300 22 4636]

Website External link[https://www.beyondblue.org.au/]

More services [https://www.esafety.gov.au/about-us/counselling-support-services]

Terms and Conditions

The TFA Support Service (the Service), and the information provided through it, are provided ‘as is’ (and as a guide only) and are not a substitute for professional advice (whether medical, clinical, legal, technical, or otherwise). You should not rely on the Service to make any decision and you are encouraged to seek professional advice if appropriate. For more information about how the Service can be used, and its limitations, please read the full Terms and Conditions[https://www.esafety.gov.au/downloads/domestic-violence-tfa-support-service-terms].

Last updated: 18/03/2025