Tasmanian-based family violence organisation Engender Equality is calling on governments, technology companies, donors, and individuals to speak out, support victim-survivors, and end the exploitation and harm driven by profit and complacency in digital spaces.

Engender Equality CEO, Alina Thomas said, “We support the 16 Days of activism to end gender-based violence which begins on 25 November, 2025, under the theme: Unite to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls”.

“Men increasingly use digital violence to stalk and harass women and girls of all levels of society, especially those with public or online visibility. The impact for women facing intersecting forms of discrimination, including race, disability, gender identity, or sexual orientation is even worse.”

There are unique dynamics at play with this form of abuse, especially the scale and speed through which it can exacerbate and aggravate other forms of violence and abuse. These acts do not just happen online. They often lead to offline violence, such as coercion, physical abuse, and even femicide – killing of women and girls.

Ms Thomas continued saying “Change can happen when violence in manosphere spaces is no longer accepted and normalised, and perpetrators are not able to remain anonymous,” Ms Thomas said.

“Change can happen when tech platforms and social networking sites ensure platform safety, remove harmful content, enforce codes of conduct, and publish transparent reports.

“Change can happen when governments pass and enforce laws that criminalise digital violence,
protect personal information, and strengthen tech sector accountability.

“Change can happen when technology sector regulations are strengthened, and legal recognition of
digital violence activated.

“Change can happen by intervening early in the role of Artificial Intelligence to prevent new forms of
abuse and amplifying digital violence,” Ms Thomas said.