Concern over abuse of Women through technology
Women's Aid has said there is an increase in the number of women being abused through technology.
The group, which provides support to victims of domestic violence, says more women than ever are being abused, controlled and stalked using technology.
There were almost 15,000 abuse incidents recorded in 2009 according to the agency, with 335 rapes within relationships being reported to Women's Aid.
Monitoring of text messages, recording of phone calls, secret video cameras recording intimate encounters and demanded access to private email and social network accounts are just some ways in which women have had their rights violated by their partners.
Last year there was a 16% increase in first time callers to the service. Women's Aid is urging women being abused to break the cycle and seek help.
How does this concern members usage on site?
There are numerous posts in the forums about abusive remarks to female cammers, Abusive remarks through whispers, Stalking via text & email messaging.
Being able to see womens cameras, chat to them in chatrooms or having an email or text number is a privilage, it is not an open invitation to bombard them with in-appropriate explicit texts/mails/pictures or comments.
Remember in the work place this type of behaviour would be Sexual Harassment & you would loose your job
In the domestic situation it would be ABUSE and you could end up with a criminal record
If Abuse & Harassment is unacceptable in the real world it is definitely un-acceptable in the virtual world of the internet.
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