Within the evolving 21st century, technology infiltrates human lives. From aiding in basic necessities such as reminders to help bridging the justice gap, technology is often perceived as helpful and revolutionary in improving processes.
However, a darker aspect that is often overlooked is the capacity for technology to facilitate abuse and violence. Coercive control has become more common place as a result of various technological advancements, such as deepfakes and hacking.
But what does coercive control look like? And why is our justice system failing to grapple and manage the implications and consequences of it on victims?
What does tech-based coercive control look like?
Coercive control is understood as patterns of abusive behavior which focus on the deprivation of a person’s independence and autonomy. Often, this dynamic is observed under family and domestic violence situations, where a dominating presence restricts and monitors another person’s actions meticulously.
However, unlike physical coercive control, technology facilitated coercive control is more subtle and targeted- to the extent in which the victim may not realise that they are coerced or controlled. Some signs of tech-facilitated coercive control include:
- Making repeated abusive, threatening or unwanted messages or calls.
- Restricting access to Wi-Fi, email, banking service or another telecommunication.
- Using cameras or recording devices to spy on the victim.
With the advent and widespread use of social media, technology-based coercive control has shifted subtly in how it looks. Some other signs of tech-facilitated coercive control include:
- Creating harmful, fake posts about victims
- Making, sharing, or threatening to share intimate images or videos of victims without the victim’s permission to control, blackmail or humiliate the victim.
- Tracking the victim’s social media usage or location.
- Restricting who the victim follows or messages.
Changes to the Privacy Act 1988 introduced a statutory tort for serious privacy invasions as of 10 June 2025- in which the misuse of information such as fake social media posts and images may be addressed in courts. This change may provide an avenue for victims to pursue justice for technology-facilitated coercive control. However, there is a gap in the justice system addressing these issues.
Issue with the justice system in handling tech-based coercive control.
A report by the Australian Institute of Criminology in October 2024 reported significant barriers in accessing the justice system. Key barriers that were identified:
- A lack of understanding of Technology-facilitated Coercive Control amongst first responders such as police and emergency responders
- Inconsistent and poor police response such as victim-blaming and inaction in reducing the harms and risks
- A focus on individual incidents rather than tracking patterns
- Lack of access within services to technological capability
These barriers often limit victims in recognising and accessing help- thus placing psychological distress upon them, requiring long-term recovery that is currently not provided by the justice system. This often creates more complex issues as illustrated by the report, where physical and financial abuse become commonplace in such situations. As a result, there is a call for greater support and awareness in the elements of technology-based coercive control.
What can you do?
If you think you or someone you know might be experiencing technology-based coercive control, here are steps to take:
- Contact a confidential support service:
- Please contact:
- 1800RESPECT
- 1800 737 732 (available 24/7)
- 1800respect.org.au
- eSafety Commissioner
- https://www.esafety.gov.au/report/what-you-can-report-to-esafety
- You can report the most serious online abuse and harmful content to eSafety. The eSafety website also has detailed information on tech-facilitated coercive control and on how to create an online safety plan.
- Men’s Referral Service
- 1800 943 539
- mrs.org.au
- Kids Help Line
- https://kidshelpline.com.au/
- 1800 55 1800
- 1800RESPECT
- Please contact:
Australia wide free 24/7, confidential and private counselling service specifically for children and young people aged 5 to 25 years.
- Gather evidence:
- Save, screenshot, record, take photos and backup any evidence of the abuse. Have multiple copies available in different locations and track a timeline of events. This will help you if you wish to pursue charge against the person.
- Contact directory services.
- Technology-based coercive control is a vague, undefined area, where it has been recognised as an area where some victims do not recognise that they are subjected to such abuse. If you are doubtful as to whether you require help, there are services which explore your situation in confidential and non-responsive places. These services can be found at women-based services in universities, counselling at schools or these services:
- FULLSTOP AUSTRALIA:
- https://fullstop.org.au/
- info@fullstop.org.au
- 180038557
- Knowmore
- FULLSTOP AUSTRALIA:
- Technology-based coercive control is a vague, undefined area, where it has been recognised as an area where some victims do not recognise that they are subjected to such abuse. If you are doubtful as to whether you require help, there are services which explore your situation in confidential and non-responsive places. These services can be found at women-based services in universities, counselling at schools or these services:
Remember – in an emergency, always call 000 for urgent help.
If you or someone you know wish to discuss this issue further, then please do not hesitate to contact us on 02 8999 9809.