Impact on Survivors
For survivors, technology-facilitated abuse can create a sense of constant surveillance and loss of privacy. Abusers may track their location, read private communications, or monitor online activity.
This can lead to:
Safety risks
Survivors may struggle to stay safe if an abuser can track their location, monitor their communications, or access personal information.
Emotional and psychological harm
Continuous digital harassment, threats, or monitoring can increase anxiety, fear, and feelings of helplessness.
Isolation
Abusers may control or sabotage survivors’ access to support systems by impersonating them online, blocking contacts, or monitoring communications.
Financial and practical barriers
Abusers may access bank accounts, interfere with employment communications, or damage a survivor’s digital reputation.
Difficulty escaping abuse
Because technology allows abusers to maintain control remotely, survivors may feel like there is no safe place to go.