Technology and domestic violence: Ethnic Chinese women’s lived experience

Background

The (mis)use of digital technology in the context of domestic violence (DV) presents challenges and opportunities to survivors, advocates, support services and governments. Emerging research shows perpetrators of DV increasingly exploit digital technology to monitor, stalk, track and harass their intimate partners. Conversely, government and support services adopt digital technology for DV interventions for disseminating information to keep women safe at home. Currently, not much is known about victims' and survivors' relationship with technology and how it impacts on their experiences of and responses to domestic violence. Moreover, empirical research focusing on the lived experiences of culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women victims and survivors is scarce.

Aim

This research explores the lived experiences of Chinese immigrant women and their relationship with digital technology such as smartphones, social media and instant messaging apps. It aims to better understand the lived experiences through women’s standpoints and the role of digital technology for DV intervention in a new context.

Methods

This research adopts an intersectional feminist approach. Stage 1 of the research involved semi-structured interviews with Victorian DV practitioners who have worked or are working closely with immigrant women from diverse backgrounds, including women of Chinese descent. Stage 2 of the research involved Chinese women victims and survivors of DV from Victoria.

Significance

Outcomes and findings of the research will contribute knowledge to the emerging field of enquiry into technology-facilitated abuse and DV. It intends to help raise awareness of this evolving issue, particularly highlighting nuances of under-studied experiences of Chinese immigrant women victims and survivors, and filling a research gap in the areas of DV and CALD women. In addition, it expands the current conversation on technology-facilitated abuse in the context of DV and implications for social policy and practice for a more culturally and linguistically inclusive, technology-based response. Some participants found their ability to tell their stories empowering and therapeutic.

Project start date

August 2018

Expected completion date

December 2021