Technological advances, particularly in terms of online access, have brought immeasurable benefits – allowing connections with family, friends, work and study, and opening access to services and information regardless of physical location.
Online spaces should be safe for everyone, however people are all too frequently being targeted, harassed, made to feel vulnerable and forced to leave or reduce their online engagement through the acts of others.
A report carried out by the eSafety Commissioner revealed that people with disability experience higher levels of online hate speech than Australia’s national average – 19% to 14% respectively.
A 2020 survey also highlighted the perceived risk for women with disabilities subjected to technology-facilitated abuse increased from 20.57% in 2015 to 44.3% in 2020.
In response to this, the Australian Government has launched a campaign to increase awareness of Online Safety Laws to support people who have experienced severe online abuse.
- * For people experiencing severe harassment and threats, the Online Safety Laws can hold abusers to account.
- * When illegal and violent content has been shared, the Online Safety Laws can help to have it removed.
- * If explicit images have been shared without consent, they can be reported to eSafety.gov.au to help get them taken down.
Everyone has the right to be safe online.
Online abuse in any form can be stressful for the individual and their family or community.
If you or someone you know experiences severe online abuse, please visit eSafety.gov.au to make a report and reach out for support through services such as:
- * Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636 (mental health support)
- * Lifeline 13 11 14 (mental health and suicide prevention)
- * 1800RESPECT 1800 737 732 (support for people affected by sexual abuse or domestic violence)
- * Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (counselling for youth between 5-25 years)
- * 13YARN 13 92 76 (Confidential, culturally safe crisis support line for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples. Available all day, every day).
If someone is in danger or requires immediate support, please call emergency services on 000.
More information on the Online Safety Act 2021, online safety risks and how to access support can also be found by visiting eSafety.gov.au.
