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

Flynn, Asher
Wheildon, Lisa
Powell, Anastasia
Bentley, Karen
Published Date
ISBN
9781922877536
CRG Report Number
2021–22
https://doi.org/10.52922/crg77536
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.

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.

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.

References