$3 million delivered to help prevent online abuse of women and children

Seven organisations will share in $3 million in initial grant funding to prevent the abuse of women and children online, as part of a $10 million package funded by the Australian Government.

 

The Preventing Tech-based Abuse of Women Grants Program administered by eSafety supports initiatives aiming to curb technology-facilitated gender-based violence and abuse directed at women and children. This includes abusive technology-facilitated behaviour such as stalking, threats and coercion.

 

Seven grants worth a total of $3 million will be made to a number of community, health and research institutions including:

 

• The Settlement Services International’s project to co-design online safety resources for culturally and linguistically diverse women and children;
• The University of Melbourne’s anti-online harassment "AI Ally" software, co-designed with young women to detect and challenge abuse, and link users to victim support services and human-facing resources; and
• The Gippsland Women's Health prevention of violence program, that features a digital platform for community engagement and rural-focused communication and media campaign.

The grant program will deliver $10 million of funding to eligible organisations over at least three funding rounds. eSafety leads the grant program and is responsible for decision-making around successful applications.

 

The Government is also progressing a broader review of Australia’s Online Safety Act to ensure the laws are fit-for-purpose and can meet new and emerging harms. Public consultation on the review will commence in early 2024, and will seek views on any gaps in the existing laws, and what steps Government could take to improve safety online.



More information about the Preventing Tech-based Abuse of Women Grants Program, visit: esafety.gov.au/about-us/what-we-do/our-programs/esafety-grants

 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Communications, the Hon Michelle Rowland MP:

 

"The abuse of women and children through technology is totally unacceptable. The Albanese Government is committed to improving online safety, including by partnering with community organisations to give Australians effective resources.



“The Government congratulates the successful applicants, and looks forward to seeing their expertise, skills and resources made available to more Australian women and children.

 

“The initial round of grant funding is another example of how our Government is delivering on our commitment to improve online safety and promote more positive experiences online."