Advertisement

The rising threat to women

Researchers have found a connection between State of Origin games and domestic violence.

Researchers have found a connection between State of Origin games and domestic violence. AAP

The internet is increasingly being used by men to stalk and abuse women, a new report has warned.

Almost all (98 per cent) of female victims of domestic violence have suffered from technological abuse, a survey conducted by Domestic Violence Resource Centre of Victoria (DVRCV) found.

Why it’s time for men to face up to a violent reality 
Mother ‘forces infant to drink, smoke weed’

Described as violence “at a distance”, cyber abuse is all-too-easy, the research group’s spokesperson told the ABC.

“We’re having more women ring up our service who are being abused in this way and our research is certainly finding it is increasing,” senior researcher Dr Delanie Woodlock said.

GPS tracking and social media sites like Facebook are some of the online tools misused in order to inflict harm.

“What makes [cyber abuse] unique, and why we think it’s increasing, is because it’s easy. Men can do this at a distance,” Dr Woodlock said.

“It’s also harder to prove … and it means [the woman] is very vulnerable and exposed.”

Despite its growing prevalence, police often do not pursue these types of offences because they are more difficult to prosecute, Dr Woodlock said.

“There does need to be a commitment from police to see this as a valid form of abuse.”

The survey received responses from 546 women who had been abused.

-with ABC.

Advertisement
Stay informed, daily
A FREE subscription to The New Daily arrives every morning and evening.
The New Daily is a trusted source of national news and information and is provided free for all Australians. Read our editorial charter.
Copyright © 2024 The New Daily.
All rights reserved.