A recent study from Monash University has unveiled a troubling trend: technology-facilitated violence is increasingly prevalent in the Indo-Pacific but remains under-researched. Outside of Australia and New Zealand, there is scarce peer-reviewed literature addressing this significant issue. Alarmingly, up to 60% of women and girls in the Pacific suffer violence from partners or family, yet the specifics surrounding technology-related abuse remain poorly understood.
Anecdotal evidence uncovers that many Pacific communities are plagued by rampant online bullying, harassment, and cyberstalking. Despite last year’s United Nations theme for International Women’s Day—”Innovation and technology for gender equality”—the growing evidence suggests that technology can also exacerbate gender-based violence against women and marginalised groups, hindering efforts for equality.
Common manifestations of technology-facilitated violence include online harassment, image-based sexual abuse, impersonation, surveillance, doxing, and defamation. Notably, young people exhibit higher rates as both perpetrators and victims of this abuse, highlighting a concerning trend within societies. Gendered patterns emerge, revealing that women experience tech-related violence more frequently than men, alongside other forms of intimate partner violence.
The repercussions of technology-facilitated violence are profound, leading to emotional and psychological harm. Victims describe mental health struggles, diminished self-esteem, and feelings of humiliation. The social implications also include isolation from communities and detrimental effects on children. Financial control is another distressing aspect, where perpetrators manipulate finances, leaving victims dependent or in debt, further entrenching their suffering.
Reports indicate that half of Australians have experienced technology-facilitated abuse during their lives, as highlighted by the pervasive nature of such violence. Victim-survivors frequently convey that they feel the abuse is constant and inescapable, which amplifies trauma through a relentless psychological burden of fear and hypervigilance.
Much of the existing research on this issue is centred in Southeast Asia, predominantly focused on Australia and to a lesser degree, New Zealand, neglecting other Indo-Pacific nations. There is a striking absence of studies addressing various identities, including gender diversity, Indigenous Australians, and those with disabilities. Emerging findings reflect that LGBTQIA+ individuals face disproportionately high rates of online abuse, while Indigenous populations endure severe digital harassment.
On this International Women’s Day, it is crucial to recognise the successes achieved so far while identifying actions needed to combat technology-facilitated gender-based violence. Future research, resources, and policies must emphasise a broader regional approach and ensure that the voices of those most affected—especially marginalised individuals—shape the support structures and reforms necessary for meaningful change.
A new study reveals an increase in technology-facilitated violence in the Indo-Pacific yet remains understudied outside Australia and New Zealand. High rates of emotional, psychological, and financial harm affect diverse groups, with particularly severe impacts on women and marginalised communities. Calls for broader research and targeted support frameworks are vital to combat this growing issue, especially on International Women’s Day.
The study highlights alarming gaps in understanding technology-facilitated violence in the Indo-Pacific, particularly concerning non-Western nations. With existing research predominantly centred in Australia and New Zealand, it underscores the urgent need for more comprehensive studies that encompass diverse voices. As we observe International Women’s Day, there is a pressing call for actions that combat technology-driven abuse and prioritise the needs of the most vulnerable individuals, ensuring support frameworks are equitable and inclusive.
Original Source: lens.monash.edu
