What is Technology-Facilitated GBV?

TFGBV can affect anyone

TFGBV can affect people of different ages and backgrounds. If technology is being used to threaten, control, exploit, harass or harm you, you can seek support.

Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV) is gender-based violence that happens through, or is made easier by, phones, the internet, social media, messaging apps, cameras, GPS and other digital tools.

It is real violence. The harm can be emotional, social, financial and physical — and online abuse often connects to abuse offline.

Common forms of TFGBV

Online harassment and abuse

Repeated insulting, sexual or hateful messages, comments or calls. This includes group attacks and abusive posts about you.

Cyberstalking and digital monitoring

Someone tracking where you are, reading your messages, checking your phone, installing tracking apps or demanding your location and passwords.

Non-consensual sharing of intimate images

Sharing, or threatening to share, private or sexual photos and videos without your consent. This also includes fake or edited images. It is never your fault, even if you shared the image with someone you trusted.

Online sexual exploitation and abuse

Being pressured, groomed, tricked or paid to send sexual images or perform sexual acts online — including "sextortion", where someone demands money or more images.

Impersonation and identity abuse

Fake accounts in your name, someone logging in to your accounts, or messages sent pretending to be you.

Doxxing and exposure of personal information

Publishing your phone number, home address, school, workplace or family details to frighten or expose you.

Online threats and intimidation

Threats of violence, rape, harm to your family, or of "exposing" you, sent by message, voice note, call or post.

Digital financial abuse

Controlling your mobile money or bank apps, taking your phone or SIM, borrowing in your name, or blocking you from earning online.

Technology-enabled coercive control

A partner or family member using technology to control who you talk to, where you go and what you do — for example demanding constant video calls or checking your phone every day.

Warning signs

• Someone always knows where you are without being told
• Your phone battery or data drains unusually fast
• Accounts you didn't create, or logins you don't recognise
• Pressure to share passwords, location or photos "to prove love or trust"
• Threats to share images or secrets if you don't obey

You are not to blame

Abuse is always the responsibility of the person causing harm. You deserve safety online and offline, and SafeChain can connect you with confidential support, reporting options and referral services.