In their national survey, 442 frontline practitioners were questioned on the kinds of abuse tactics they are seeing in their day-to-day working with survivors of domestic and family violence.
In response to the growing prevalence of online harm in domestic violence cases, Australia is planning to introduce laws to manage online abuse, making it one of the first countries in the world to do so.
Plans are underway to introduce fines of up to $110,000 to cyber bullies and online trolls – but is it enough?
The recent consultation on a bill for a new Online Safety Act will make it illegal to post “seriously harmful content” on websites and social media, such as comments that intentionally menace, harass or offend.
Survivors of cyber abuse and domestic violence will have more power to fight back, with new Federal Government legislation designed to crack down on internet trolls. However, in the fight to end digital stalking and domestic violence, more must be done.
Cyber security providers tackle stalking to help protect survivors of domestic violence
This is especially the case in instances of online stalking, where stalkerware software is installed on a person’s smart device without their knowledge and used to secretly spy on their private life.
The software can be used in a variety of harmful contexts, sometimes facilitating violence against an intimate partner.
Cyber security firm Kaspersky is leading the change in creating a safer online environment, and has recently developed an innovative new tool that will make life harder for secret trackers.
The data on the prevalence of online abuse in domestic violence cases is deeply concerning. Security vendors have an equal part to play in protecting end users from technology abuse, and Kaspersky is committed to playing their part.
“Perpetrators know about stalkerware and how to use it. The real concern is that most everyday people do not know how to detect if they are being spied on, or how to protect themselves from online stalking.
This has to change,” comments Noushin Shabab a Senior Security Researcher at Kaspersky ANZ.
Noushin will deliver her keynote presentation at the upcoming Pause Fest titled ‘How technology tackles stalking and helps survivors of domestic violence’.
The presentation will reveal more about a recently developed open-source tool and how users can that tackle stalkerware, increase their privacy control and put an end to domestic violence.
Speaking ahead of Noushin’s keynote, Pause Fest founder and CEO George Hedon said, “Technology has totally transformed the way we live our lives, mostly for the better but as with any innovation, there can be unintended consequences.
“The data from Kaspersky shows technology is playing an increasing role in domestic violence, which remains one of Australia’s most pressing societal challenges. We have to all come together to take urgent action now and prevent further future harm being conducted via digital channels.
“Pause Fest is all about bringing together different worlds and different ideas, to unpack how technology and innovation can be used for good and where it requires greater insight, consideration and regulation to keep people happy and healthy.
We are delighted to welcome Kaspersky to open our 2021 festival on 1 March with this important debate on the role of technology in supporting and helping survivors of domestic violence.
It will be one of dozens of thought-provoking sessions during the 12-day festival, titled Changes, which is all about how we can come together to respond positively to rapid change.”
