eSafety Commissioner sounds warning on coercive control

Australia’s eSafety Commissioner has sounded a warning about coercive control, with new research revealing almost one in five young adults think it is reasonable to expect to track a romantic partner whenever they want.

More than 2,000 Australians aged 18 to 75 and over were asked whether they agreed with specific harmful expectations and attitudes associated with technology-based coercive control in intimate relationships, including isolating, micro-managing and monitoring a partner.

While 13.6 per cent of all participants agreed expecting to track an intimate partner whenever they wanted using location-sharing apps was reasonable, this jumped to 18.6 per cent for 18-24-year-olds.

“Young people have become so accustomed to a certain level of online tracking and monitoring by family and friends that it wouldn’t seem strange to expect similar digital access in a romantic relationship,” eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said.

“We urgently need to get the message out there that a respectful partner never expects to keep tabs on you 24/7.”

While the research reinforces the need for more education around digital boundaries, privacy and consent, it also raises questions about how popular tracking apps used by parents might be priming children and young people to accept round-the-clock monitoring without question.

“As a country, we’re grappling with how to stem the devastating tide of intimate partner violence. But if we want to change these behaviours, we must challenge underlying attitudes that endorse and normalise controlling and monitoring behaviours in romantic relationships,” Ms Inman Grant said.

“For some, the expectation of tracking can contribute to future tech-based coercive control: a pattern of behaviour used to manipulate someone with devastating effects on that person’s perception, sense of self-worth, and sense of safety.”

People who use coercive control in a relationship are more likely to use physical violence against their partner and any children involved. There is also a higher risk of lethal violence.

“It isn’t an exaggeration to say preventing tech-based coercive control, and the attitudes that condone it, can save lives,” Ms Inman Grant said.

“We’re not saying a couple in a relationship or family members shouldn’t share their location online. What we’re saying is the expectation you can track a romantic partner whenever you want is problematic, even dangerous. And this is especially the case when a partner is using other controlling, isolating or manipulative tactics.”

The eSafety Commissioner is encouraging parents and carers to role model respectful technology practices as often as possible.

“Your example can help young people navigate tricky issues of consent, respect and privacy into their adult years,” she said.

“For example, if you decide to download a location-sharing app onto your child’s device, have a conversation about why and when their location will be shared with you, and how the app works. We want to build children’s understanding of where and how information about them exists online and who else can access it.

“We know the pressure on parents and carers to understand all the intricacies of the online world is overwhelming. That’s why we have everything from explainers and conversation guides to free parent webinars at eSafety.gov.au/parents.”

Parents can register for a free 45-minute webinar on August 6 at 12.30pm.