Digital Abuse: Control Hides in Your Tech

Domestic violence is increasingly manifesting through technology, a phenomenon researchers term "digital coercive control" or "technology-facilitated abuse." This modern form of abuse relies on devices such as phones, smartwatches, and connected home appliances to monitor and control victims, leaving no visible physical marks. Perpetrators leverage these tools to track locations, access personal accounts, and exert power remotely.

Examples include secret location tracking via apps, unauthorized access to banking and social media, and the use of smart thermostats to disrupt a victim's comfort. Experts warn that these digital tactics are often employed to strip victims of their autonomy, with the underlying motive remaining ancient: control. The abuse can persist long after a relationship ends.

Separation can heighten the danger, as abusers may use tracking devices to stalk and harass former partners. In Australia, a significant percentage of unlawful tracking-device charges between 2010 and 2023 were linked to domestic violence cases. A 2023 inquest highlighted how location-sharing technology aided a killer in a domestic violence case.

Survivors often experience fear that their abuse will follow them online. Warning signs include demands for passwords, constant location sharing, unexplained knowledge of whereabouts, threats involving private information, and obsessive digital check-ins. These are indicators of control, not affection. Supporting someone experiencing this requires non-judgmental connection and asking about their safety rather than questioning why they haven't left.