An Intersectional Analysis of Technology-Facilitated Abuse: Prevalence, Experiences and Impacts of Victimization.

This article examines technology-facilitated abuse (TFA) in Australia, presenting the first reliable national prevalence estimate based on a representative survey of 4,562 adults and 20 qualitative interviews. TFA encompasses harassing behaviours, sexual behaviours including image-based abuse, monitoring and controlling behaviours, and emotional abuse and threats conducted via digital technologies. Findings reveal that 51% of Australian adults have experienced TFA in their lifetime, with marginalized groups—such as LGB+ individuals, Indigenous people, those with disabilities, and younger adults—experiencing higher prevalence and more severe negative impacts, including harmful emotional effects and serious mental distress. The study highlights the importance of applying marginalization and intersectionality frameworks to understand how intersecting identities influence the severity of TFA's impacts, noting significant interaction effects for disability combined with language diversity and for Indigenous women. The authors emphasize the need for research, policy, and support services to address the diverse experiences of TFA victims beyond gender alone, recognizing structural inequalities that shape victimization and its consequences.