Technology Facilitate Abuse, Women's Work and Financial Empowerment

3.13.2017. The representative from WESNET focused on how technology facilitates abuse, women's work, and financial empowerment. The representative talk about their value, which are:

1. First, do no harm

2. Embrace your inner geek

3. No woman, girl, or victim should be forced to avoid technology

4. Technology decreases isolation and increase economic opportunity

5. The tool should match the need

6. Again, do no harm

Also, she was talking about abusers seek to control technology allows because they could be powerful, access rights, and control more information. As a result, victims change their Pin or password could cause a serious injured or abused. Since not only victims try to use technology, but also abusers; when abusers misuse technology it is an economic barrier to women. Here are some advantages for victims to use technology: 

1. With technology, there would be more opportunities for victims to survive

2. Technology can raise the severity of trauma

3. Technology can be strategically used to enhance and maintain safety

Statistic shows that 98% of programs report that abuser misuse technology to stalk, harass, and control victims.

Technology has changed our life dramatically. However, 86% of program report that abusers harass victims through social media. Giving up social networks is not a solution, what we need to do is to take caution when sharing. People share password to their partner, friends, and be locked up by their own account. Try to use more strong, unique password, use 2-step authentication, be aware of secret questions. Also, log out of account.

Technology is a double-edged sword. Abusers could use it to disguise themselves and harass victims. Victim would be saved by using technology. Just by careful how we use it. And protect ourselves.