Experts are warning that a worrying relationship “red flag” has develop into normalized after latest data revealed it’s on the rise in Australia.
Almost 1 / 4 of Aussies think it’s reasonable to expect to have a partner’s device codes and multiple in 10 think it’s reasonable to expect to trace a partner using location-sharing apps, latest eSafety research conducted by the Social Research Centre found.
“There are lots of practical and secure the reason why two people in an intimate relationship might consent to sharing their passcodes, tracking one another or sending frequent messages to ascertain where the opposite person is or what they’re doing,” eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said.
“What’s concerning about these findings is the normalization of those expectations inside any intimate relationship.”
“On this age of ubiquitous tech, we must be careful to not inadvertently erode a partner’s privacy, boundaries and agency just because digital devices allow us to trace, cross-check and recheck their every motion, like and dislike.”
Of the two,046 surveyed, slightly below 10 percent of respondents agreed that each having someone’s personal passcodes and tracking someone every time they need using location-sharing apps were reasonable expectations from an intimate partner.
Men were also found to be twice as likely as women to see tracking a partner as “reasonable” or a “sign of care.”
“When there are several red flags, it might be that you simply or someone is a goal of tech-based coercive control,” Inman Grant added.
“Tech-based coercive control isn’t a single act of abuse but a pattern of controlling behaviors. It’s often difficult to identify since the abuser will describe their abusive actions as acts of care or deep concern. But like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, that is abuse dressed up as love.
“While we want to conduct further research to know what’s driving these attitudes and expectations, it’s clear more work must be done to lift awareness of tech-based coercive control and to reshape norms around digital privacy and respect between intimate partners, especially amongst younger adults and men.”
Inman Grant added that data exposed the gravity of technology-facilitated gender-based violence that had been downplayed or ignored for “too long.”
“This way of violence acts as a ‘silent menace’ for girls and their children,” she said.
“While there could also be no visible bruises, it might leave deep psychological trauma and scars.”
One in all the explanations it’s so dangerous is because it might “infiltrate every digital nook and cranny” of a victim’s life and be used to “terrify and manipulate.”
“On the subject of tech-based coercive control, the tentacles of abuse are quite a few and wily because its vectors are the devices we use each day, carry in every single place and have in every room of our homes,” she warned.
“We all know from front-line employees that tech-based coercive control is nearly all the time utilized in family, domestic and sexual violence, however it’s often only obvious once the abuser has infiltrated every digital nook and cranny.
“At that time, the victim is able of just about certain danger without expert support from a front-line service. And the victims are mostly women and their children, including young people of their first or early relationships.”
The warning comes after Recent South Wales introduced coercive control laws and bail conditions to guard survivor victims of domestic violence on July 1.
Coercive control can manifest in other ways and is linked to a pattern of behavior which will include financial and emotional abuse, violence and intimidation, threats against pets or family members, tracking someone’s movements, or isolating them from family and friends.
Experts are warning that a worrying relationship “red flag” has develop into normalized after latest data revealed it’s on the rise in Australia.
Almost 1 / 4 of Aussies think it’s reasonable to expect to have a partner’s device codes and multiple in 10 think it’s reasonable to expect to trace a partner using location-sharing apps, latest eSafety research conducted by the Social Research Centre found.
“There are lots of practical and secure the reason why two people in an intimate relationship might consent to sharing their passcodes, tracking one another or sending frequent messages to ascertain where the opposite person is or what they’re doing,” eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said.
“What’s concerning about these findings is the normalization of those expectations inside any intimate relationship.”
“On this age of ubiquitous tech, we must be careful to not inadvertently erode a partner’s privacy, boundaries and agency just because digital devices allow us to trace, cross-check and recheck their every motion, like and dislike.”
Of the two,046 surveyed, slightly below 10 percent of respondents agreed that each having someone’s personal passcodes and tracking someone every time they need using location-sharing apps were reasonable expectations from an intimate partner.
Men were also found to be twice as likely as women to see tracking a partner as “reasonable” or a “sign of care.”
“When there are several red flags, it might be that you simply or someone is a goal of tech-based coercive control,” Inman Grant added.
“Tech-based coercive control isn’t a single act of abuse but a pattern of controlling behaviors. It’s often difficult to identify since the abuser will describe their abusive actions as acts of care or deep concern. But like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, that is abuse dressed up as love.
“While we want to conduct further research to know what’s driving these attitudes and expectations, it’s clear more work must be done to lift awareness of tech-based coercive control and to reshape norms around digital privacy and respect between intimate partners, especially amongst younger adults and men.”
Inman Grant added that data exposed the gravity of technology-facilitated gender-based violence that had been downplayed or ignored for “too long.”
“This way of violence acts as a ‘silent menace’ for girls and their children,” she said.
“While there could also be no visible bruises, it might leave deep psychological trauma and scars.”
One in all the explanations it’s so dangerous is because it might “infiltrate every digital nook and cranny” of a victim’s life and be used to “terrify and manipulate.”
“On the subject of tech-based coercive control, the tentacles of abuse are quite a few and wily because its vectors are the devices we use each day, carry in every single place and have in every room of our homes,” she warned.
“We all know from front-line employees that tech-based coercive control is nearly all the time utilized in family, domestic and sexual violence, however it’s often only obvious once the abuser has infiltrated every digital nook and cranny.
“At that time, the victim is able of just about certain danger without expert support from a front-line service. And the victims are mostly women and their children, including young people of their first or early relationships.”
The warning comes after Recent South Wales introduced coercive control laws and bail conditions to guard survivor victims of domestic violence on July 1.
Coercive control can manifest in other ways and is linked to a pattern of behavior which will include financial and emotional abuse, violence and intimidation, threats against pets or family members, tracking someone’s movements, or isolating them from family and friends.
