30th November: Online Safety and Tech Abuse
Today is National Computer Security Day. Every day, computers become faster and more advanced. Protecting the resources, tools, and information on them protects the people who use them, too. Modern technology gives perpetrators of abuse ever-growing ways to stalk, isolate and control their victims using the tools of everyday life.
Across Refuge’s services, perpetrators are increasingly using technology to facilitate their abuse of the women Refuge support. Abusers can and have gained access to women’s personal and home devices, their online accounts and even children’s toys and devices.
We have found a rise in the number of women whose children’s IPads, Xboxes and PlayStations have been hacked by the perpetrator to gain full access to their accounts, to trace information such as the child’s location, who they are speaking to and what games they are playing.
Aside from the many ways, perpetrators are choosing to use technology to abuse partners and family members, children and young people are particularly vulnerable to online grooming.
What are your views? please add them in the comment box below.
Support Links:
Domestic and Sexual Violence Services
Resource Links:
NSPCC article on online grooming
Childline – Staying Safe Online