Ruth Patrick Darlene, founder and Executive Director of WomenSV, is a leading advocate against technology-facilitated abuse and coercive control. Learn how she empowers survivors and educates providers in Silicon Valley and beyond.
Technology has woven itself into the fabric of our daily lives; we rely on it for communication, entertainment, and convenience. Along with the numerous benefits technology brings, there are also dark corners that harbor potential dangers. One such threat is intimate cyberstalking, a disturbing phenomenon that has emerged with the rise of online platforms and social media.
Silicon Valley nonprofit WomenSV (Women of Silicon Valley) is on a mission to tackle the growing issue of technology abuse and coercive control in intimate partner relationships. Through their work, they aim to spread awareness, provide accessible information, and empower survivors, professionals, and the community at large. While technology abuse is a global problem, Silicon Valley's tech-savvy culture creates an environment where incidents of such abuse are alarmingly frequent.
In today's interconnected world, social media platforms have become a significant part of our lives. They provide us with a platform to connect, share, and express ourselves. However, this openness comes with a dark side: the potential for online harassment and abuse. If you find yourself being harassed on social media, it is essential to take action to protect yourself and maintain your well-being. Here are some steps you can take if you find yourself facing online harassment.
From SAGE Publications: "Technology-facilitated abuse (TFA) is a significant, harmful phenomenon and emerging trend in intimate partner violence. TFA encompasses a range of behaviours and is facilitated in online spaces (on social media and networking platforms) and through the misuse of everyday technology (e.g. mobile phone misuse, surveillance apps, spyware, surveillance via video cameras and so on)."
In the 21st century, technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, revolutionizing the way we communicate, work, and interact with the world. However, alongside the countless benefits of technology, there exists a dark and silent epidemic: domestic violence and technology abuse. The misuse of technology as a tool for control, harassment, and manipulation has emerged as a distressing facet of abusive relationships. As we navigate the digital age, it is crucial to shed light on this issue and explore ways to combat it.
Technology has become an integral part of our daily lives, offering countless benefits and conveniences. However, as technology advances, so do the methods of control and abuse. Domestic abuse has found new avenues to perpetuate itself through the misuse of technology. In this article, we explore the dark side of technology, specifically focusing on how it can enable coercive control in domestic abuse situations and provide guidance on what to watch out for.