We know that women are subjected to very high levels of online abuse, and that women with disability, including intellectual disability are more likely to experience violence throughout their lives. eSafety is committed to ensuring those who are at disproportionate risk of online abuse are provided with online safety information that caters for varied literacy levels – to help women with technology abuse and image abuse.
Our Easy English guides offer accessible information about technology-facilitated abuse and image-based abuse, as well as practical pathways to support. These resources build upon the guidance we offer through our eSafetyWomen program which supports women impacted by technology-facilitated abuse, particularly in a domestic and family violence situation.
Online abuse targeting women
Women can experience high levels of abuse online, which can damage their confidence, self-esteem and feelings of personal safety.
Understand the different types of abuse and the pathways available to get help and support.
You can report the abuse to the social media service or platform it was posted on. Depending on the platform, you can generally block, report, ignore or mute the abuse. For tips on how to protect your personal information, block someone and direct links to report abuse, see the eSafety Guide
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You can also report online abuse to eSafety. We deal with three key types of reports:
If technology is being used to abuse, stalk, threaten or defame you, there are laws that can help. Collecting evidence will be important if you want to take legal action. You can learn more about how to collect evidence and take screenshots in our ‘how to’ videos.
If you are the target of online abuse, remember it is not your fault. Everyone should be free to interact online without the fear of abuse. Below we outline different types of abuse and what you can do to take action.
Trolling and cyber abuse
Trolling is when a user anonymously abuses or harasses others online for ‘fun’. Trolls deliberately post comments that will upset others to get a reaction from them. Trolls seem to enjoy it when people get upset about what they post, and often shrug off complaints about their behaviour, claiming it was all in fun. Haters and cyber abusers, however, can be genuinely angry about the views or actions of other people and seek to personally humiliate or punish them. For women who are targets of cyber abuse, the abuse can by sexist, misogynistic, racist, homophobic or transphobic. The distinction between trolling and cyber abuse can be quite blurry, but it is important to understand the difference.
Read our advice on how to deal with adult cyber abuse. Learn how to block and report abusive content it the social media service or platform it was posted on in the eSafety Guide.
Cyberstalking
Cyberstalking is a form of cyber abuse — the terms are often used interchangeably in the media. Both may include false accusations, abusive comments, attempts to smear your reputation, threats of physical or sexual violence or repeated unwanted sexual requests. Cyberstalking may also include monitoring, identity theft and the gathering of information that may be used to threaten, embarrass or harass. Cyberstalking is often accompanied by real time or offline stalking. Never let cyberstalking go on for too long — if you feel unsafe report the abuse to police now. Call Triple Zero (000) or contact your local police station.
Our advice for people experiencing cyberstalking as part of domestic and family violence, is useful whether the person cyberstalking you is known to you or a complete stranger. There is also advice on cyberstalking included in our advice on adult cyber abuse.
Image-based abuse
Image-based abuse, also known as ‘revenge porn’, happens when an intimate image or video is shared without the consent of the person pictured. This includes images or videos that have been digitally altered (using Photoshop or specialised software).
An intimate image is one that shows:
- a person’s genital area or anal area (whether bare or covered by underwear)
- a person’s breasts (if the person identifies as female, transgender or intersex)
- private activity (for example a person undressing, using the bathroom, showering, bathing or engaged in sexual activity)
- a person without attire of religious or cultural significance if they would normally wear such attire in public
Learn more about image-based abuse and how you can take action. You can report image-based abuse to eSafety, and request that images are removed and get help and support.
What is image-based abuse?
Transcript of Video
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Image-based abuse can happen to anyone. There’s more help for Australian victims of image-based abuse than ever before. |
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If you’re a victim of image-based abuse, eSafety can help. |
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Image-based abuse is when someone shares or threatens to share your intimate images or videos |
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An image is intimate if it shows nudity, sexual activity, or a person without religious or cultural clothing they would normally wear in public |
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It also includes digitally altered images where a person’s image is modified to appear intimate. |
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It’s happened to one in ten adult Australians and this figure is even higher for some groups such as women aged 18 to 24. |
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Image-based abuse can take a variety of forms. Ex-partners may do it to shame or get back at someone. |
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Friends or peers may do it for social standing, out of social pressure or even for a laugh at someone else’s expense. |
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Others use it to blackmail, typically for money or more intimate images. |
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Image-based abuse also frequently occurs as part of domestic or family violence. |
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No matter where you live in Australia, there are laws to protect you from image-based abuse. |
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There’s eSafety’s civil penalties scheme, a world first, which covers all of Australia. There are also criminal laws enforced by police. |
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At eSafety, we work to help victims of all ages experiencing image-based abuse. We talk through the options, provide support and work to ensure positive outcomes for victims. |
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This includes having intimate content and offending accounts removed quickly. |
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and also taking action against the person responsible. |
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To report image-based based abuse or find out more about how eSafety can help, visit our website. |
