Technology-facilitated coercive control: Mapping women’s diverse pathways to safety and justice

Abstract

Perpetrators of domestic and family violence are increasingly using advancements in communication and surveillance technologies to extend their abuse tactics. Concern is growing particularly about how technologies enable and amplify the coercive controlling behaviours of abusive partners and how prepared frontline workers and support services are to assist people experiencing this form of abuse to achieve safety and justice. This study draws on in-depth interviews with victim‑survivors of technology-facilitated coercive control and with frontline and other support service workers who support victim‑survivors, and on workshops with domestic and family violence sector stakeholders, to examine pathways to safety and justice for victim‑survivors. The analysis identifies gaps, limitations and opportunities for improvement in responses to victim‑survivors of this rapidly developing form of domestic and family violence. It presents recommendations directly relevant to policy and practice.<br><br>

Most victim‑survivors and workers interviewed reported significant gaps and areas for improvement in justice and support services. One considerable gap is a lack of understanding of technology-facilitated coercive control among frontline workers, including police, and in the community more broadly. This means that victim‑survivors do not always recognise that what is happening to them is a form of domestic and family violence. When victim‑survivors do realise that what is occurring is dangerous, police frequently view their reports as isolated incidents, rather than as patterns of behaviour, and diminish or dismiss them, overlooking the risks to women and children. Another significant gap in domestic and family violence services is a lack of funding for specialist suppliers to conduct technology safety scans, with some services relying on local telecommunications stores or students to check devices.<br><br>

The findings indicate an urgent need for funding for domestic and family violence services, to enable them to provide women and children at risk with technology safety scans and wraparound support. There is an equally urgent need to address the lack of understanding of technology-facilitated coercive control, and the risks associated with patterns of abusive and controlling behaviours generally, particularly within the criminal justice system.