The eSafety Commissioner today launched a powerful new global information pack designed to help frontline domestic and family violence workers across the world continue to safely support women who are victims of technology-facilitated abuse during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The new resource contains information to help frontline workers recognise the signs of technology-facilitated abuse, and pass on practical advice to victims to help them stay safely connected with their usual support networks.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said stay at home orders both here and overseas have forced women living in an abusive relationship or having recently separated from an abusive partner, to remain in one place with their abuser for an extended period of time, which can be frightening and dangerous.
“Women may become more isolated and limited in how they can get help because they are being directly monitored whilst their devices, email and social media accounts are compromised,” Ms Inman Grant said.
“We want women around the world to continue to feel safe, supported and protected when seeking help from frontline agencies during this pandemic so that they can use technology as a lifeline and a tool, rather than it being used against them for further harassment. This is precisely what this new resource is ultimately designed to achieve.”
The Commissioner said UN figures showed 243 million women and girls aged 15-49 have been subjected to sexual or physical violence perpetrated by an intimate partner over the past 12 months and this number will likely increase as the COVID-19 pandemic continues.
Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Women, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, said frontline workers play a critical role in recognising the signs of abuse and provide the support needed by women.
“Frontline workers — including social workers, doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals — may be the only external contact a victim has during this COVID-19 pandemic.
“This information pack is therefore an important tool for these workers to help women vulnerable to domestic violence to continue to use technology to keep these vital connections.”
Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said: “For most of us, being better connected is great news. Sadly, however, if you are the victim of abuse, you need to be aware that the perpetrator may use communications technology to harass, stalk and threaten.
“Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has plenty of practical advice on reducing this risk for people at risk of abuse – and for those providing them with support. I am pleased to see eSafety’s expert advice on these important issues being made available to international partners.”
The new resource provides strategies for dealing with technology-facilitated abuse, which is the use of technology to harass, stalk and threaten someone.
The new global information pack follows the release last month of eSafety’s successful Global Online Safety Advice for Parents and Carers to support children’s safe use of the internet and connected devices during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has been shared by key partners including UNICEF and the Global Alliance to End Violence Against Children.
The release of the global information pack also coincides with the airing this week of a new COVID-19 specific community service announcement on SBS featuring the eSafety Commissioner. The CSA details the resources available for women who are also at increased risk of technology-facilitated abuse during this pandemic.
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Alistair Adams-Smith
0429 671 951 or media@esafety.gov.au