The rise of digital technologies has transformed many aspects of our lives, offering new avenues for communication, learning, and engagement. However, these advancements also come with a dark side: the increasing prevalence of cyberstalking and online manipulation, a phenomenon that can be broadly categorized under digital coercive control (DCC).
Coercive control, a pattern of behavior aimed at dominating and manipulating another individual, has found fertile ground in the digital realm. As technology evolves, so do the methods through which abusers exert control over their victims through stalking.
Understanding Coercive Control
Coercive control is a form of intimate partner violence characterized by tactics aimed at undermining a person’s autonomy and agency. Evan Stark’s 2007 seminal work, ‘Coercive Control: The Entrapment of Women in Personal Life,’ revealed the nuanced and often overlooked dynamics of domestic abuse, challenging traditional perceptions that focus solely on physical violence. Stark introduced the concept of coercive control to describe a pattern of behavior that extends beyond physical harm. It encompasses psychological abuse, sexual abuse, verbal abuse, financial abuse, and emotional abuse tactics aimed at entrenching a victim in a state of dependency and subjugation.
The Evolution of Abuse: Technology’s Role
With the widespread adoption of smartphones, social media platforms, and other digital tools, abusers have found new avenues to exert control over their victims. Cyberstalking, for instance, enables perpetrators to monitor their victims’ online activities, and track their location through GPS. They may even hack into their devices to gain access to personal information. The anonymity afforded by the internet also emboldens abusers, allowing them to harass, intimidate, and threaten their victims with impunity.
Recent research has shed light on the alarming prevalence of technology-facilitated abuse. A study published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence found that over 70% of domestic violence survivors had experienced some form of cyberstalking (Edwards, 2022). Moreover, advancements in artificial intelligence have raised concerns about the potential use of deepfake technology. This tech can create manipulated videos or audio recordings, further complicating the landscape of online manipulation and coercion.
Another study published in the Journal of Cybersecurity Research found that cyberstalking victims often experience significant psychological distress and impaired functioning. This includes increased symptoms of anxiety and depression, lowered self-esteem, sleep disturbances, increased vigilance and paranoia, social withdrawal, and isolation. This underscores the urgent need for effective intervention strategies (Smith et al., 2023).
Addressing the Digital Dangers: Awareness and Solutions
Addressing digital coercive control requires a multifaceted approach that involves legal, social, and technological interventions. While there have been efforts to legislate against such behaviors, enforcement remains challenging due to the diffuse nature of the internet and digital communications. Advocacy and awareness campaigns play a critical role in educating the public about the realities of digital abuse and the importance of supporting victims.
In addition to raising awareness, policymakers and tech companies must collaborate to develop robust safeguards against online abuse. This includes implementing stronger privacy protections, enhancing security measures to prevent unauthorized access to personal data, and providing training for law enforcement professionals to effectively respond to reports of cyberstalking and online harassment.
Coercive control in the digital age presents complex challenges that require concerted efforts from individuals, communities, and institutions. By understanding what digital coercive control is, recognizing the power dynamics at play, and working together to create safer online environments, we can take significant steps toward protecting individuals from this heinous form of abuse.
References
Edwards, K. M. (2022). Technology-facilitated abuse: Implications for survivors of intimate partner violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 37(1-2), 3-27.
Smith, J. R., Johnson, L. M., & Williams, E. D. (2023). The impact of cyberstalking on psychological well-being: A meta-analytic review. Journal of Cybersecurity Research, 12(4), 589-605.
Stark, E. (2007). Coercive Control: The Entrapment of Women in Personal Life. New York: Oxford University Press.
Featured image: Woman persecuted on the internet (Photographee.eu / Adobe Stock)
