On November 25, we join the United Nations (UN) in the worldwide campaign to eliminate violence against all women and girls.
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The 2025 campaign targets technology-based violence, which is one of the fastest-growing forms of abuse against women and girls.
Alarmingly, online attacks are getting worse, the UN reports, and can spill over into real-world violence.
Australia's National Research Organisation for Women's Safety (ANROWS) estimates that one woman is killed every week by an intimate, or former intimate partner.
Further research suggests that one in two Australians has experienced technology-based abuse.
E-safety commissioner Julie Inman Grant said the research by ANROWS reinforces the widespread prevalence of this type of abuse and the heightened risk for some minority groups.
"The ANROWS research is a stark reminder that more needs to be done to ensure all Australians can live their lives free from physical, psychological and emotional harm - online and offline," Ms Inman Grant said.
"We cannot ignore the relationship between technology-facilitated abuse and family and domestic violence; 40 per cent of female victim-survivors and 32 per cent of males said the abuse came from a partner or former partner.
"This supports what we've been hearing from the frontline services we work with: domestic violence perpetrators are using both low-tech and high-tech methods to control, demean and silence."
Ms Inman Grant said while technology is currently giving perpetrators round-the-clock access to their targets, it can be part of a solution.
"We must adjust our collective mindset and flip our focus - from what victim-survivors can do to stay safe, to what society must do to end abuse and hold perpetrators to account," Ms Inman Grant said.
What is digital abuse?
- Non-consensual sharing of intimate images and video content.
- Cyberbullying, online threats and trolling.
- Online harassment and sexual harassment.
- AI-generated deepfakes (an image, video or audio file that is digitally altered).
- Hate speech and disinformation posted on social media platforms.
- Publishing your personal and private information online (doxxing).
- Online stalking, surveillance and tracking.
- Online sexual exploitation and grooming.
- Impersonation and catfishing (using a fake online identity to deceive and gain trust).
"It's time for all users, creators and advocates of technology to help us reimagine a safer, more inclusive, more respectful future."
The Australian government is investing $10 million over five years to combat technology-facilitated gender-based violence against women and children.
Visit the website esafety.gov.au for advice on how to stay safe online, and to report online abuse.
If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or text 0458 737 732.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can access support through 13YARN.
Contact Men's Referral Service on 1300 766 491 for guidance.
If you, or someone you know, is in immediate danger call police on Triple Zero (000).
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