The Nature, Patterns and Consequences of Technology-Facilitated Domestic Abuse: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Digital Health
• Sociology
• Criminology

Background:

• Women face escalating risks of gender-based violence via digital tools.
• Devices like GPS trackers and social media are exploited by abusers for monitoring and harassment.
• The specific impacts of technology on intimate partner violence (IPV) are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review on technology-facilitated domestic abuse (TFDA).
• To explore the nature, patterns, and consequences of TFDA.
• To identify challenges faced by victims and service providers.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive scan of journal articles and grey literature on TFDA was performed.
• Twenty-two relevant papers were selected for inclusion in the scoping review.
• The review synthesized findings on the phenomenon, its impacts, and related challenges.

Main Results:

• Digital devices, apps, and social media platforms significantly facilitate IPV.
• The consequences of abuse are often exacerbated by technology.
• Victims and frontline workers struggle to comprehend and address TFDA effectively.

Conclusions:

• TFDA presents complex challenges requiring multifaceted solutions.
• Further research, policy development, and addressing online gender inequality are crucial.
• Enhanced understanding and support systems are needed to combat technology-enabled abuse.