DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - DIGITAL SAFETY & PROTECTION

Technology-facilitated abuse (TFA) is when someone uses digital tools to harass, monitor, threaten, control, or abuse another person. In Australia, research shows that technology is involved in approximately 80% of domestic violence cases, with 60% involving harassment, monitoring, and tracking 

· Monitoring your phone, emails, or social media without permission

· GPS tracking through apps, cars, or devices

· Installing spyware or stalkerware to watch your activities

· Accessing bank accounts or controlling finances digitally

· Sharing intimate images without consent

· Using smart home devices (cameras, doorbells, thermostats) for surveillance

· Threatening or harassing via text, email, or social media

· Impersonating you online or posting private information 

  You might be experiencing tech-facilitated abuse if:

· Someone knows things about your activities they shouldn't know

· Your phone battery drains unusually fast or overheats

· Unknown apps appear on your devices

· Your partner demands access to passwords or devices "for safety"

· You notice unusual data usage or location tracking

· Friends mention posts or messages you didn't send

· Your accounts have login activity you don't recognise

· Someone has changed your passwords without permission 

These signs don't always mean abuse, but if combined with controlling behaviour, they warrant attention.