Women should be heard and safe both online and offline

Manage the voices you engage with 
You can control what you see and hear online. Conversation controls help you manage your social media feeds so they’re a more positive place for you to spend time with your online community. 

Check out the available conversation controls for some popular social media platforms:

• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• Instagram

For other apps and to learn how to mute, block or unfollow people to minimise the harm of online abuse, check out The eSafety Guide. 

Update your security and privacy settings
It’s a good idea to regularly check security and privacy settings. eSafety recommends using different, strong passwords for each online account and sign out when you’re finished. Two-step verification (also known as two-factor authentication) can be added for extra protection. Your answers to security questions should be things that no one else can learn. Find out more about how to secure your accounts in our how-to videos.

Take a moment to check the privacy settings on all your devices and apps. Social media sites have privacy settings to help you control who sees your posts. You can also adjust your settings to manage who can send friend requests. Check out The eSafety Guide for more information on privacy settings. 

Take charge of your location settings
Location settings are important for map apps and all types of technology, but they can also be used to track women - with an intent to cause harm. You can choose when and who to share your location with. Remember, social media apps and Bluetooth technology, that’s used for sharing files and connecting to devices, can also track your location.

You can turn these features off when you don’t feel safe. Find out more about location settings.

Make it a habit to collect evidence of online abuse
Our research shows that women typically downplay online abuse, especially when they experience it as part of their working lives. You can change this by collecting evidence of the online abuse you receive and this will help others to help you. 

Build your confidence and find out how to take a screenshot and save a URL - which you can use to report online abuse. eSafety offers step-by-step guidance on collecting evidence if digital technology is being used in an abusive or threatening way. Although it is important to collect evidence, it is even more important to stay safe. Make sure evidence is only collected when you feel it is safe to do so.

Raise your voice about online abuse
Online abuse should always be reported to the relevant platforms and, depending on the level of harm, you can also report to eSafety or the police.

Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and other social media sites have community rules to follow. If you or someone you know sees something that’s not respectful, you can anonymously make a report and ask the site to remove it. Find out more about the choices you have in reporting online abuse. 

/node/1119Get involved with 16 Days of Activism 

• Join a virtual event on Thursday 30 November (7 to 8 pm AEDT). 

Hosted by the Australian Mission to the EU, this virtual international event – Violence against women online: Impact of gender equality and women’s participation in public life – will feature Julie Inman Grant, eSafety Commissioner; Helena Dalli, European Commissioner for Equality; and Kate Jenkins, Australian Sex Discrimination Commissioner.

Women increasingly experience online harassment and abuse in their workplace. This harassment is often sexualised and based on appearance, and it can rapidly become violent. 

The Commissioners will talk about Australian and EU commitments to gender equality, with a focus on how to stop online violence against women, and how to protect and promote their voices online. Find out more and register for the event.

• Follow @eSafety Women on Twitter and be part of the 16 Days conversation on social media via #16DaysOfActivism. During the campaign, eSafety will amplify women’s voices through daily tips, information and research on social media.