In a disturbing new trend, perpetrators of domestic violence in Western Australia are increasingly turning everyday technology into tools for surveillance, control, and intimidation. A recent report from WA Police has highlighted how smart cars, smartphones, and home devices are being weaponised to stalk and terrorise victims.
The Digital Tools of Coercive Control
The report, which analysed domestic violence incidents across the state, found that technology-facilitated abuse is becoming a standard tactic. Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Trimble, from the Sex Assault and Family Violence unit, confirmed that officers are now regularly encountering cases where technology is central to the abuse.
One of the most alarming methods involves the misuse of connected car systems. Perpetrators are exploiting features like GPS tracking, remote locking, and even engine immobilisation to monitor a partner's movements, trap them in a vehicle, or strand them in isolated locations. What was marketed as a safety and convenience feature is being twisted into a mechanism for fear.
Similarly, smartphones are being compromised through spyware, hidden tracking apps, and the misuse of shared cloud accounts to monitor messages, photos, and location data. Perpetrators also use smart home devices, like speakers and security cameras, to maintain a constant presence and listen in on victims even after they have left a shared residence.
Police Response and the Challenge of Legislation
WA Police are adapting their response to this evolving threat. The report emphasises that officers are receiving specific training to identify signs of technology-facilitated abuse and to collect digital evidence. However, they face significant hurdles.
Existing laws often struggle to keep pace with the rapid development of technology. While behaviours like incessant texting or public shaming on social media can form part of a case for a Family Violence Restraining Order (FVRO), proving the malicious use of a car's onboard system can be more complex from a legal standpoint.
Det. Sen. Sgt. Trimble pointed out the legal grey areas, noting that proving a perpetrator intentionally used a car's GPS to stalk someone requires a different evidentiary approach than traditional physical stalking. Police and advocacy groups are calling for clearer legal frameworks to address these modern forms of coercive control directly.
Seeking Safety in a Connected World
For victims, the pervasive nature of this abuse can make escape feel impossible. The advice from experts is becoming more technologically savvy. Recommendations for those at risk include:
- Conducting a digital audit of all devices, changing passwords, and checking for unknown applications.
- Consulting with a specialist domestic violence service for help in securing devices and creating a safety plan.
- Speaking with car dealerships or manufacturers about how to reset or disable tracking functions on a vehicle.
- Documenting all incidents of abuse, including screenshots of threatening messages or logs of suspicious vehicle behaviour, to support police investigations.
Organisations like Anglicare WA and the Women's Council for Domestic and Family Violence Services are crucial resources, offering support and guidance tailored to these new challenges.
The WA Police report serves as a stark warning: as our homes and vehicles become smarter, they can also become new frontiers for abuse. Combating this trend requires not only vigilance from potential victims and their support networks but also ongoing adaptation from law enforcement and lawmakers to protect safety in the digital age.
