Technology-facilitated abuse (TFA) describes the misuse of technology and digital platforms to harass, stalk, or coerce other people. When we break down this term:

• “Technology” refers to the Internet and digital spaces (like social media platforms, mobile apps, gaming lobbies, or software), but also physical electronic devices (like smartphones, computers, cameras, and GPS tools).
• “Facilitated” refers to how technology is used as a means to enact harm upon others. This illustrates that people are ultimately responsible for how they use technology, but also brings attention to how the fundamental design of technology can facilitate or discourage harmful or abusive behavior.
• “Abuse” refers to a pattern or continued behaviors that are used to gain or maintain control over another person. There are many forms of abuse (e.g., physical, emotional, sexual, economic/financial, spiritual) that can manifest in both online and in-person relationships.

When put together, we understand that TFA does not happen in isolation, but in the broader context of culture, society, and systemic violence.

As our society continues to grow dependent on technological or digital means to communicate, connect, and learn, we also see an increase in TFA.

• TFA occurs in nearly 99.3% of all gender-based violence situations (Woodlock et al. 2020)
• 7 in 10 young people report having experienced TFA (Mumford et al. 2024)
• While TFA can impact anyone regardless of their identity or background, women of color, immigrants, disabled, and LGBTQIA+ individuals are disproportionately affected by TFA (UN Women 2023)

Resources:
NNEDV Safety Net Project
Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence
FAQs: Digital abuse, trolling, stalking, and other forms of technology-facilitated violence against women

Technology-facilitated abuse is a broad umbrella term that refers to tactics used by intimate partners and other individuals causing harm to manipulate, control, and abuse survivors through digital or electronic means. It often occurs alongside other forms of abuse; such as sexual, emotional, and financial. Tech abuse can severely impact a survivor’s safety and overall well-being, and despite its prevalence, this type of abuse is frequently overlooked.

Understanding the tactics used in tech abuse is a critical step in identifying it and offering support. Below are some common terms that fall under the umbrella of technology-facilitated abuse:

• Deep-fakes: a person in an existing image or video is replaced with someone else’s face or likeliness, including voice. Can be AI generated.
• Sextortion (sex + extortion): When someone abuses their power or authority to coerce sexual acts, images, or videos from a victim. Also defined as “the threat to expose sexual images in order to make a person do something”
• Revenge porn: revealing, or sexually explicit images or videos of a person posted on the internet, typically by a former sexual partner, without the consent of the subject and in order to cause them distress or embarrassment; (also known as non-consensual intimate images, nonconsensual porn, or broadly as “image-based sexual abuse”)
• Cyberstalking: The use of the Internet or other electronic means to stalk or harass an individual, group, or organization (can also include false accusations, defamation, slander, and libel; identity theft, monitoring, threats, vandalism, solicitation for sex, doxing, or blackmail) ​
• Cyber harassment, also referred to as online abuse or online harassment, is generally defined more broadly than cyberstalking and encompasses a broader range of abusive tactics. Cyber harassment is online expression targeted at a specific person that causes the individual substantial emotional distress.
• Cybersex trafficking: A cybercrime involving sex trafficking and the live- streaming of coerced sexual acts and/or rape ​

Gender-based violence is a global issue that affects individuals, families, communities, and institutions such as schools and workplaces. The impact of this violence can lead to lasting physical, emotional, psychological, social, and economic trauma for survivors.

This is no different for those experiencing technology-facilitated abuse and intimate partner violence (IPV). Survivors of tech abuse often face numerous barriers to safety and support; including fear, limited access to resources, lack of knowledge or awareness, language and accessibility challenges, and feelings of shame or embarrassment.

People who cause harm may exploit technology to maintain power and control (see power and control wheel).

Let’s take a closer look at Coercion and Threats.

Millions of people rely on technology every day to work, attend school, stay connected with loved ones, and stay informed about current events. For many, online access is essential for supporting themselves and their families.

When a person causing harm uses coercion or threats to control their partner, technology can become a powerful tool of abuse. This might include forcing constant contact through excessive or distressing texts and emails, threatening to blackmail their partner by sharing private videos or images, spreading false or damaging information to family members or employers, or using social media to out their partner’s gender identity or sexual orientation. These tactics may lead to devastating consequences; including job loss, social isolation, and damage to the survivor’s reputation.

As we reflect on the Power and Control Wheel, consider:
What other manipulation tactics might someone use to maintain control in a relationship? Have you witnessed or encountered similar behaviors in your work or personal life?

It is important to note that while technology can cause harm, it can also help survivors stay connected and build community with other people and access opportunities for remote healthcare, financial services, or even work. In most situations with TFA, completely removing survivors from technology and digital life is unreasonable and can be very isolating or disruptive. Instead, we offer these various tips and recommend taking a look at some additional, detailed resources that can help you (or someone you know) with TFA.

If someone is experiencing TFA:

• Identify what specific websites, mobile apps, and devices are involved. Think about where a survivor has experienced harassment, stalking, or coercion and how (e.g., direct private messages on WhatsApp, a specific online gaming lobby, comments on Instagram reels). Also consider what electronic devices (e.g., phones, laptops, tablets, smart devices) and online accounts (like email, banking, social media) a harm-doer may also have access to, as they could use it to monitor, control, or spy on survivors.
• Document where and when TFA is happening, including some context. This is especially important if a survivor wants to pursue legal remedies, including orders of protection (also known as restraining orders). There are helpful guides and logs online, such as those by NNEDV’s Tech Safety Net Project and WomensLaw.org, that can be useful for documenting evidence.
• Build a support system of people, places, and professional support resources. As with all situations that involve domestic or intimate partner violence, it is vital for survivors to not remain isolated by their abusers. Reach out to a variety of trusted individuals, including those who may not have a close relationship with or know the abuser very well. Depending on the situation, it may be helpful to share back-ups of evidence with a few people in this support system. Also establish places that a survivor could go to if their physical safety is especially at risk (e.g., a friend or family member’s home, hotel, domestic violence shelter). And of course, connect with professional support resources like a trained domestic violence advocate or, if available, a tech abuse clinic (like the Clinic to End Tech Abuse in New York or the Madison Tech Clinic in Wisconsin). However, most tech clinics can only support local survivors, so a possible alternative can be to reach out to information technology (IT) and technology repair professionals who can help with technology-specific questions (like Best Buy’s Geek Squad or Apple’s Genius Bar).

Specific advice to people experiencing TFA can vary. Things that may be normally recommended—like 2-factor authentication or blocking an abuser—can sometimes make a survivor’s situation worse, if not done carefully or with consideration to a survivor’s circumstances. This, along with many other reasons, is why it’s important to connect survivors to supportive, knowledgeable, and trusted people as soon as possible.

Some other general tips for practicing online safety:

• Review your privacy settings on any online website or service you use (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, even things like Google Calendar or Outlook) to see who can see your profile information, online activity, and location. We recommend using the most restrictive privacy settings, especially if you are concerned about potential harassment or stalking. Remember that stalkers are often not strangers, as 2 out of 3 stalking victims actually know who their stalkers are in real life and 80% of stalkers use technology to track their victims (Morgan & Truman 2019).
• Limit personal information that you share online. You should never share important personal information like social security or credit card numbers—nor should others outside of official institutions ask for such information.
• Look for potential warning signs of TFA. For strangers, these may include unsolicited friend requests or conversations turning quickly sexual or coercive in nature. For intimate partners, these may include constantly wanting to know where you are, demanding account passwords or access, or pushing you to send intimate images or money. Again, it is important to understand that TFA also happens in the larger context of a relationship, so other signs like love bombing or gaslighting may also be warning signs.
• Never share passwords with anyone, including intimate partners. While it may feel like a “sign of a trust, loyalty, or love”, partners in relationships with healthy boundaries should never ask for your passwords. Having access to your account poses the risk of potential stalking, impersonation, manipulation of your data (e.g., deleting emails or social media posts), and controlling or damaging aspects of both your digital and real-world life—such as your finances, professional career, and other interpersonal relationships. However, there may be some cases or social/cultural norms where people may need to share accounts and passwords (e.g., caretaking situations, lack of technology resources or internet access, shared devices). In such instances, it is important to be transparent with one another about account use and activity, and be mindful of power and control-based tactics such as gaslighting, guilt-tripping, or shaming you in order to restrict access to or monitor your online accounts.

Resources:
Technology Safety & Privacy: A Toolkit for Survivors
Operation Safe Escape
Respect Victoria – Red flags: What is tech abuse and what should you look out for?
2024 Cyberstalking Statistics

Technology-facilitated abuse can be hard to see, due to the abuse taking place through phones, apps, or online spaces. However, TFA is very real and can have serious emotional, psychological, social, and financial consequences.

Survivors may feel isolated, confused, or afraid to speak up, especially if their abuser is monitoring their activity or threatening their safety. Supporting someone experiencing tech abuse starts with compassion, understanding, and a commitment to believing survivors. By listening without judgment, offering safe and practical support, and connecting them with trusted resources, we can help survivors feel empowered and less alone. Every small act of support can make a big difference in their path toward safety and healing.

See below on some steps for how to support survivors through the process of healing:

LISTEN:

• Believe and validate their experience. Say something like: “That sounds scary. I’m sorry this happened to you. This is not your fault. I’m here if you want to talk.”
• Avoid minimizing them or questioning their experience. Restrain from saying things like: “This doesn’t sound like them. At least it wasn’t _____. You’re overreacting. You must go to the police!”
• Respect their autonomy and avoid telling them what to do. Survivors know their situations the best. Imposing your own ideas may deter them from seeking additional support.

SUPPORT:

• Help create a safety plan by suggesting safer online practices (use safer devices, turn off geolocation or adjusting privacy settings, create new accounts, change and strengthen passwords), document evidence, report incidents and identifying safe people to talk to.
• Help navigate systems like court or police.
• Challenge harmful attitudes by speaking up against victim-blaming language
• Follow up. Be consistent with support. Check in.

CONNECT:

• Connect them with resources, such as
  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 877-863-6338 (877-TO END DV)
  • Tech Safety from NNEDV: www.techsafety.org
• Encourage them to visit any local DV organizations that may also offer advocacy, safety planning, and legal support.

Throughout our social media campaign on TFA, we covered the basics of what TFA is and what it looks like, how it impacts survivors, and tips to stay safe online and support survivors. Despite the prevalence of TFA, there are also many people and organizations coming together to combat TFA and create stronger legal prevention and responses to TFA, improve digital literacy, and build more robust support systems for survivors. Here are 3 ways YOU can make a difference:

1. Talk about TFA and digital safety with friends & family. Start a conversation about what privacy settings they use and what kinds of information they might be sharing online. Talk about healthy boundaries and behaviors in relationships when using technology to communicate with others, share information, and build intimacy.
2. Share knowledge & resources with your community. There are many helpful and detailed resources with documentation guides, legal information, and shareable resources, including the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative, Refuge Tech Safety, NNEDV’s Tech Safety Net Project, and VAWNet. In addition, resources on general online privacy and cybersecurity, as well as healthy relationships and boundaries, can also be very useful. Stay informed about local community resources and professional support for TFA, including the Illinois Domestic Violence Hotline (877-863-6338) and local organizations that support survivors.
3. Stay informed and support local and national efforts to respond to TFA and support survivors. Along with social and cultural changes that can address TFA, policy efforts are a structural way to make a sustainable, long-lasting impact. Subscribe to The Network’s Policy Action Center newsletter for updates on legislation that reduce TFA and improve support for survivors. Especially with the increase in abuse of generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and personal consumer data, we are actively working towards legislation that protects people’s privacy, autonomy, and safety.

Resources:
Cyber Civil Rights Initiative
Refuge Tech Safety
National Network to End Domestic Violence’s Tech Safety Net Project
UNFPA Bodyright Campaign