Intimate Partner Cyber Abuse (IPCA)

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, our lives have become intertwined with technology. While this has brought convenience and connection, it has also opened the door to new forms of abuse. IPCA is a significant form of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) where the use of communication technologies to attempt, threaten, or complete sexual, psychological, or physical harm against a current or previous intimate partner or to monitor, coerce, or control an intimate partner’s behavior (Fissel et al., 2022).

Intimate partner cyber abuse is a wide spectrum which covers all the various ways technology can facilitate intimate partner violence, whether online or in-person. These include (but are not limited to) technology-facilitated sexual assault (the use of digital devices or apps to facilitate in-person sexual assault); image-based sexual abuse (the nonconsensual taking, sharing, or threats to share intimate images); cyberstalking (surveillance, monitoring, repeated contact, and impersonation); unwelcome requests and sexual solicitation; image-based harassment (the sending of unwanted and unsolicited explicit images); hate speech; threats of rape and violence; restricting access to and use of technology for purposes of isolation and coercion; exposure to violent and abusive imagery (whether sexual or nonsexual); the creation, distribution, and possession of child sexual exploitation materials; cyberbullying; and the nonconsensual disclosure of personal information, also known as “doxxing.” IPCA is carried out through text, images, and unwanted digitally-enabled or enhanced surveillance and monitoring, using a variety of devices and platforms from basic digital tools, such as texting, email, and social media, to more advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, GPS tracking, and drones (Henry et al., 2020). The impact of intimate partner cyber abuse can be profound and long-lasting. Victims often experience significant psychological distress, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It can disrupt the victim’s personal and professional lives, leading to financial instability and damaged social relationships. The invisible nature of the abuse can lead to self-blame and feelings of isolation, as the victim may struggle to find validation or support when the abuse extends beyond physical boundaries (Henry et al., 2020).