Newsletters 2024
Week 104: It's time to talk about technology's role in domestic abuse
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Domestic abuse isn't just about cuts and bruises. The reality is, abuse comes in many forms: stalking, assault, emotional manipulation, financial control, and other behaviours that allow abusers to maintain power over their victims. In today's world of smartphones and social media, technology-facilitated abuse has become one of the fastest-growing forms of abuse, and also one that is poorly understood. That's why my team and I this week brought together a roundtable of over 40 women's safety frontline workers, peak bodies, public sector leaders and other experts to unpack what's happening in this space and find ways to protect vulnerable Australians from harm. Shockingly, as many as 4 in 5 Australian women and 1 in 3 men have reported experiencing technology-facilitated abuse. This can include threatening text messages and calls; the use of tracking apps and devices; surveillance of victims' personal devices, email and social media accounts; and the non-consensual distribution of intimate photos and videos. While state and federal governments have been developing legislation to deal with some of those issues, it is clear that our laws are not keeping pace with technology. And with young Australians becoming increasingly open to location sharing and other such behaviours amongst friends, we simply cannot afford to wait another 10 or 15 years for this issue to get the attention it needs. We must start addressing the role of technology in gender and family violence. With only 7 parliamentary sitting weeks left this year, I remain absolutely committed to holding the government to account and look forward to working with my parliamentary colleagues, industry and experts on a comprehensive national response to this issue in the months ahead. Thank you as always for your continued support and feedback this week — particularly to those who have shared your thoughts on the impacts of social media on young people. My team and I would love to hear from more young Australians, parents, carers and educators on this topic ahead of a discussion that I’ll be hosting in Canberra later this month. If you haven't yet completed the survey, you can have your say here. Finally, if there is anything my team or I can help you with, please do get in touch! - KT |
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COME AND MEET KYLEA
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WHAT'S ON IN NORTH SYDNEY |
IN THE NEWSAEC ‘likely’ to hold North Sydney inquiry - North Sydney Living, 28 July 2024. The AEC is likely to hold an inquiry over the proposed abolition of the seat of North Sydney following the groundswell of public opposition. Kylea has requested she be allowed to present the views of the community before the committee before final decisions in October. Interview with ABC Radio about technology-facilitated abuse - ABC Sydney Breakfast, 1 August 2024. Kylea speaks with Craig Reucassel about the need for legislation and education to address how tracking devices, banking apps, email and other technologies are being used in cases of domestic abuse. Listen from the 1hr 47’ mark. ‘It’s insidious’: The rise of technology-facilitated abuse in domestic violence - Women's Agenda, 31 July 2024. Technology-facilitated abuse is quickly becoming one of the most insidious and fastest growing forms of domestic and family violence, but is an issue that very rarely gets raised, Women's Agenda reports. Interview on Afternoon Briefing on domestic violence and technology-facilitated abuse - ABC News, 30 July 2024. Kylea speaks with the ABC's Greg Jennett about "one of the most insidious forms of abuse in our country". Watch from the 52' mark. Urgent need for education on use of technology in domestic abuse: Kylea Tink - The Guardian, 30 July. Media coverage of Kylea's community roundtable on technology-facilitated abuse, and her plan to develop a Federal action plan on the issue. Crossbenchers want federal money withheld until states tackle construction 'corruption' - ABC News, 1 August. Kylea and her crossbench colleagues are demanding tougher action against the CFMEU and have called on the Albanese government to withhold infrastructure funding until the states demonstrate they are cracking down on building industry criminality. |
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Kylea's newsletter hits the inboxes of people right across our electorate of North Sydney. Stay up to date with Kylea's plans and progress as she tells us about her week speaking with people in our community. We'll also highlight the latest community events and initiatives to get involved with.