The role of technology in intimate partner violence and help-seeking

While increasing digitalisation creates new opportunities for connectivity it also enables the perpetration of violence facilitated by technology. In Sweden research on digital violence tends to focus on young people and children’s exposure to violence online.

However, when it comes to intimate partner violence (IPV), there is a different dynamic at play as an intimate partner will often have privileged knowledge as well as access to the victim’s data and devices which can enable extended control through monitoring, tracking and stalking both online but also “offline”.Research problem and specific questions The study aims to explore the dynamics of technology-facilitated violence from the perspectives of victim-survivors of IPV and help-providers working to protect victims of violence.

The project examines how technology functions in the abuse and help-seeking processes of victims of IPV both during and in the aftermath of violence.

Furthermore, the project investigates how help-providers identify, assess and provide support for victims of technology-facilitated violence and what potential challenges and obstacles they encounter in their work.

The following research questions will be explored:How does technology function in the abuse of victims of IPV?What are the everyday consequences of technology-facilitated violence for victims of violence both during and after the end of the relationship?What kinds of technologies and strategies are used in the perpetration of intimate partner violence?What kinds of technologies and strategies are used for help-seeking and help-provision?How do help-providers deal with technology-facilitated IPV?Data and methodThe study is based on qualitative interviews with victim-survivors and help-providers and an extended literature review which includes both technology-facilitated violence but also digital forms of help-seeking.Societal relevance and utilisationThis study is an important contribution to policy-makers, practitioners but also tech companies as the findings can help to identity patterns in the way in which technology is used for perpetration and help-seeking.Plan for project realisationThe project will run over two years full time at NCK at Uppsala University.

A reference group will be formed with relevant stakeholders to help develop and follow the progress of the project.

Workshops with practitioners will be organized to get feedback on preliminary results and share the findings from the study.