The article by Delanie Woodlock and Bridget Harris, examines the use of technology to abuse and control women with intellectual and cognitive disabilities. The authors conducted interviews and focus groups with six women with intellectual or cognitive disabilities who had experienced technology-facilitated abuse and 15 practitioners who work with women with intellectual or cognitive disabilities who have experienced technology-facilitated abuse. The authors found that while technology plays a vital role in the social and everyday lives of women with intellectual or cognitive disabilities, they face a heightened risk of abuse through digital mediums. The perpetrators of technology abuse included male intimate partners and ex-partners, but also family, friends, carers, and strangers.
Key findings:
Harassment via technology: Perpetrators used technology, predominantly Facebook, to harass and torment women, often exploiting their reliance on social media for social connection. This included sending abusive messages, making threats, and spreading rumors.
Technology-facilitated stalking: The article highlights the use of technology to monitor and track the movements, activities, and communications of women with cognitive or intellectual impairments. Tactics included GPS tracking devices placed in children's toys, prams, wheelchairs, and vehicles. Perpetrators also used dating sites and apps to stalk women, exploiting their desire for connection and relationships.
Image-based sexual abuse: Perpetrators coerced and pressured women into sending intimate images, and then distributed those images without consent. This included both known perpetrators, such as intimate partners, and unknown perpetrators encountered on social media and dating platforms.
Impacts of technology-facilitated abuse:
Fear and mistrust of technology: Women reported feeling scared, anxious, and uneasy about using technology after experiencing abuse. This led to a decline in their use of digital mediums, restricting their access to social connection, communication, and essential services.
Isolation and restricted access: Women often felt pressured to disconnect from technology to ensure their safety, leading to isolation from support networks and essential services. This was often reinforced by family members and carers who restricted their access to technology.
Challenges in help-seeking: Women faced significant barriers in seeking help, including a lack of awareness about available support services and fear of not being believed or understood. Practitioners noted that discriminatory attitudes towards women with intellectual or cognitive disabilities often resulted in their experiences being dismissed or minimized.
How this article can inform practitioners:
This article offers valuable insights for practitioners working with women with intellectual and cognitive disabilities who have experienced technology-facilitated abuse:
Recognize technology as a tool for abuse: The article highlights the specific ways that technology is used to abuse and control women with intellectual and cognitive disabilities. Practitioners should be aware of these tactics and proactively address them in their work.
Promote digital literacy and safety: Practitioners should equip women with the knowledge and skills to use technology safely and confidently. This includes providing information on privacy settings, online safety tips, and strategies for identifying and responding to online harassment.
Advocate for accessible and inclusive support services: Practitioners should advocate for support services that are accessible to women with intellectual and cognitive disabilities and meet their specific needs. This includes ensuring that services are trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and offer appropriate communication and support mechanisms.
Woodlock, D., & Harris, B. (2024). ‘You have to be really careful’: technology and the abuse of women with intellectual and cognitive disabilities. Disability & Society, 39(4), 953–973. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687599.2022.2114886
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