‘You have to be really careful’: technology and the abuse of women with intellectual and cognitive disabilities

Abstract

The use of technology to abuse and control women is an emerging area of domestic violence. However, little is known about how women with disabilities, particularly women with intellectual and cognitive experience this abuse. To address this gap, we conducted interviews and focus groups with six women with intellectual or cognitive disabilities who had been subjected to technology-facilitated abuse and 15 practitioners who work with women with intellectual or cognitive disabilities who had experienced technology-facilitated abuse. We found that technology occupies a key role in the lives of women with cognitive or intellectual disabilities. However, their use of technology is threatened by unknown and known perpetrators who weaponise digital media and devices. Women were frequently advised to change their behaviour and disengage from technology; a ‘solution’ which penalised and restricted them in a myriad of ways. Thus technology-facilitated abuse and responses to it can entrap and negatively impact women.

Points of interest

• Women with intellectual disabilities use the internet to find things out, to talk to other people, and for fun. We call that ‘using technology’

• Sometimes using technology can be unsafe. Strangers, friends, family and partners can use technology in ways that make women feel afraid.

• When women go to others for help, instead of helping them to use technology in safe ways, some people will make women stop using technology.

• Using technology has become important in how people feel like they belong, and women with intellectual or cognitive disabilities should be allowed to feel like they can use technology like others do. These are called ‘rights’ which are basic things that we all deserve to live in a free and safe way.

• Women with intellectual or cognitive disabilities have the right to feel safe when using technology.

Keywords:

• Technology
• intellectual disabilities
• cognitive disabilities
• abuse
• domestic violence

Acknowledgment

Thank you to our project partners eSafety, South Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault, WESNET, Women with Disabilities Victoria and WWILD, who were invaluable to this research. Our gratitude also goes to the women who shared their stories.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.