'Quick Exit' button
The Quick Exit button at the top of this page will exit you from the police website quickly.
It does not remove your browser history.
If you think your computer use is being monitored – you may want to remove the browser history.
The eSafety(opens in a new window) website can assist with how to do this.
What is technology-facilitated family violence?
The use of technology, by an abuser to frighten control or intimidate, can make family violence appear different, but the goals and motives are still the same: it is another way to control and take power away.
Technology-facilitated abuse occurs both during relationships and after separation.
Some examples
Common examples of technology-facilitated stalking or abuse that can be family violence include:
- threatening or abusive phone calls
- repetitive, threatening or abusive text messages and emails
- checking or hacking email accounts or monitoring internet use
- non-consensual sharing of images such as false, humiliating, intimate or sexualised videos or photos or threatening to do so
- spreading rumours about the person or impersonating them online
- harassing or threatening the victim or the victim's friends and family on social networking sites
- tracking the victim's location through apps and 'find my phone' services
- geotagging of photographs taken with smartphones
- smartphone spyware
If these types of actions are perpetrated by a partner, an ex-partner or a family member Victoria Police has both criminal civil options they can pursue.
If this type of monitoring and abuse is happening and you have an intervention order, it may be a contravention of the family violence intervention order and needs to be reported to police.
Stalking is a criminal offence, whether you have had any type of relationship with the abuser or not, and should be reported to police.
Some advice
Always call Triple Zero (000) for immediate assistance in an emergency.
If you have made a report of family violence, seek the advice of the police officer you are working with, electronic abuse sometimes can be used for evidence.
If your partner or ex-partner is using violence and abuse, and they initially set up your phone or computer, it would be wise to seek some safety and technology advice from the links below.
More information
- eSafety Commissioner www.esafety.gov.au(opens in a new window)
- SmartSafe www.smartsafe.org.au(opens in a new window)
In an emergency call Triple Zero (000)
For more information see
- Magistrates' Court see their family violence pages and films
- Victims of Crime(opens in a new window) Help Line (7 days, 8am-11pm) 1800 819 817
- Victoria Legal Aid(opens in a new window) (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) free telephone advice in a range of languages 1300 792 387
- Safe Steps(opens in a new window) Family Violence Response Centre (24 hours) for women and children 1800 015 188 or 9322 3555
- Men's Referral Service(opens in a new window) (Mon-Fri, 8am-9pm) support and referral for men 1300 766 491
- Sexual Assault Crisis Line(opens in a new window) (24 hours) 1800 806 292
- Child Protection Service(opens in a new window) DHHS (24 hours) 131 278
- Housing (24 hrs)(opens in a new window) statewide referral for emergency housing 1800 825 955
Updated