Smart Safety - Technology and Domestic Abuse

 

Technology can be regarded as an enabler and a weapon for abusers. Growing issues like revenge porn, cyberstalking and online harassment are demonstrating that victims of ongoing abuse can be abused in more ways than ever before.

However, we are also seeing tech as a vital ally against abusers and violence. Detectives are using fake accounts to catch predators, attorneys are citing social media into evidence discovery to convict abusers, and apps and websites are being created to help survivors find a community virtually to provide necessary support or assistance – even crowdsourcing funds to get survivors out of dangerous living conditions.

"Technology, in the digital era, is a double-edged sword. While it provides abusers with newer tools to inflict harm, it also arms survivors and their allies with innovative methods to combat violence and seek justice. Both parties have access to sites that encourage their behavior. As hard as it is to believe, there are plenty of sites that teach perpetrators how to get away with the abuse, but there are many outlets, groups and other platforms that provide support, assistance and aid to survivors,” explains author Alle C. Hall. “The challenge lies in harnessing its potential for good, ensuring that for every digital shadow that threatens personal safety, there's a beacon of light offering refuge, support, and empowerment."

In the digital age, technology's dual nature becomes evident: while it can amplify harm and aid perpetrators, it simultaneously offers innovative solutions to protect and support survivors. 

The onus rests on society to tilt the balance favorably, maximizing technology's protective capabilities and minimizing its harmful potential. As we navigate this digital landscape, the ultimate goal remains clear: to ensure technology stands as a steadfast ally for those seeking safety, justice, and support.

Now available as an audiobook, Alle C. Hall’s award-winning novel, “As Far As You Can Go Before You Have To Come Back,” is a story about a survivor of abuse who discovers the path to healing after she escapes her abusive family.