Supporting Women - Responding to Technology-Facilitated Domestic Abuse
This booklet is for Frontline Support Workers and support networks
Many of us rely on technology and social media to keep us connected to work, friends and the businesses or services we need. This connection is important for all of us. However, for women experiencing domestic abuse and coercive control connecting online comes with many risks.
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, we know that perpetrators abusive behaviours escalated, including some forms of technology-facilitated abuse. It is important to be aware that technology-facilitated abuse is likely to be present in cases of domestic abuse and coercive control, and to recognise the harms it can cause.
This booklet will help you to:
• recognise the warning signs
• know how to help
• know how to improve technology safety
• increase children's safety and provide support for longer term responses.
This booklet is for specialist domestic violence professionals responding to domestic abuse and coercive control that impacts women and children. Its primary use is for frontline responders in Domestic Violence Services and Refuges. It is also designed as a resource for allied professionals such as Gardaí, doctors, nurses, social workers, pharmacists and other healthcare professionals. Family, friends, neighbours and other community members may also find this guide useful if they are supporting someone at risk of technology-facilitated abuse.
If this resource causes you distress in any way, please seek support here: https://www.safeireland.ie/get-help/where-to-find-help/
“Safe Ireland welcomes this collaboration with the National Cyber Security-Awareness Task Force. Such a partnership focuses the expertise, knowledge and training of the Cyber Security Industry in Ireland directly on the dynamics of coercive control and actively supports frontline domestic violence service support work. It is much needed and will strengthen victims’ capacity to identify, and act effectively to stop such control in their lives”
“The partnership between the National Cyber Security Awareness Task Force & Safe Ireland is narrowing the gap between the cyber security industry in Ireland and the national organization that supports survivors of domestic abuse. We hope this guide will enable support and service workers bolster the existing services Safe Ireland provide and enhance the protection of victims and survivors of technology-facilitated abuse. We also encourage the general population to absorb this guide on responding to technology-facilitated abuse to better equip each of us to recognise and respond in an safe, encouraging and informed way.”