The Abuse of Technology in Domestic Violence and Stalking

Violence Against Women. 2017 Apr;23(5):584-602. doi: 10.1177/1077801216646277. Epub 2016 Jul 9.

Abstract

We focus on an emerging trend in the context of domestic violence-the use of technology to facilitate stalking and other forms of abuse. Surveys with 152 domestic violence advocates and 46 victims show that technology-including phones, tablets, computers, and social networking websites-is commonly used in intimate partner stalking. Technology was used to create a sense of the perpetrator's omnipresence, and to isolate, punish, and humiliate domestic violence victims. Perpetrators also threatened to share sexualized content online to humiliate victims. Technology-facilitated stalking needs to be treated as a serious offense, and effective practice, policy, and legal responses must be developed.

Keywords: domestic violence; stalking; technology.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Crime Victims / psychology
  • Domestic Violence / trends*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Information Technology / standards*
  • Information Technology / statistics & numerical data*
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Male
  • Risk Factors
  • Stalking / complications*
  • Stalking / psychology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Victoria