The Importance of Resources in Addressing Technology-Facilitated Abuse
Technology-facilitated abuse can feel overwhelming because it often involves digital tools that many people do not fully understand. Access to reliable resources, organizations, legal protections, and safety tools helps individuals recognize abuse, protect themselves, collect evidence, and seek support. Technology itself is not inherently harmful. In many cases, it can become a powerful tool for safety, connection, and recovery when survivors and professionals understand how to use it safely. Resources provide guidance on protecting privacy, documenting abuse, updating device settings, and accessing legal or advocacy support. (NNEDV) Effective resources empower survivors and strengthen the ability of advocates, first responders, and communities to respond to abuse in a coordinated and informed way.
How community partners can use the center
How Survivors Can Use Resources
Resources help survivors regain control of their digital safety and understand what steps they can take if someone is misusing technology to harm them. Key Ways Survivors Use Resources Safety planning • Identify potential technology risks (shared devices, GPS tracking, account access). • Learn how to change passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and secure accounts. • Turn off unnecessary location sharing or device permissions. (First Steps To Heal) Recognizing signs of technology abuse • Monitoring of messages or emails • Unknown apps or spyware on devices • Unauthorized access to social media or financial accounts • Harassing messages or threats Documenting abuse • Save screenshots of messages or online harassment • Record dates, times, and descriptions of incidents • Maintain a technology abuse log for legal purposes. (WomensLaw.org) Connecting with support services • Access hotlines, online advocacy services, and safety planning tools. Example Survivor Resources • The National Domestic Violence Hotline 24/7 confidential support https://www.thehotline.org • Tech Safety Survivor Toolkit (NNEDV) guides for protecting digital privacy https://techsafety.org/resources • WomensLaw.org legal information on cyberstalking, spyware, and digital evidence https://www.womenslaw.org • DomesticShelters.org safety checklists and technology safety tools https://www.domesticshelters.org (DomesticShelters.org)
Taskforce Collaboration
Work together to identify gaps in community resources and develop solutions
How Advocates Can Use Resources
Advocates are often the first professionals helping survivors navigate digital safety concerns. Technology-facilitated abuse requires advocates to expand traditional safety planning to include digital security and privacy protection. Key Roles of Advocates Digital safety education • Help survivors understand risks related to phones, apps, and smart devices. Safety planning with technology • Develop strategies that balance safety with access to communication tools. Resource coordination • Connect survivors with legal assistance, tech safety experts, and support organizations. Training and awareness • Advocates must stay updated on new forms of digital abuse such as stalkerware, spyware, and non-consensual image sharing. Useful Advocacy Resources • NNEDV Safety Net Project technology safety training and toolkits • National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) education and prevention resources • Technology Safety & Privacy Toolkit for Survivors digital safety strategies • Digital Evidence Toolkit guidance for preserving digital evidence. (Safety Net Project)
How First Responders Can Use Resources
First responders, including law enforcement, emergency responders, and investigators, play a critical role in identifying and responding to technology-facilitated abuse. Key Uses of Resources Evidence preservation • Properly collecting digital evidence such as messages, screenshots, device logs, and GPS data. Recognizing digital abuse • Identifying signs of cyberstalking, spyware, impersonation, or account hacking. Legal enforcement • Applying appropriate laws related to harassment, stalking, and electronic surveillance. Collaborative response • Working with victim advocates, digital forensic specialists, and prosecutors. Evidence Collection Tools • Digital evidence preservation toolkits • Cyberstalking incident logs • Device forensic procedures Resources like digital evidence toolkits help professionals understand how digital evidence can be preserved and used in legal cases involving technology-facilitated violence. (bcsth.ca)