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Chapter 16: Protecting Against TFGBV and Changing Policies

Technology‑facilitated gender‑based violence (TFGBV) affects how clients access care, communicate with services, and feel safe in support environments. Protecting clients requires trained staff, clear digital‑conduct policies, and systems that respond quickly when harm is suspected.

This chapter outlines practical steps for building safer digital practices across healthcare, social services, disability support, and community programs.

Training and Resources for Frontline Workers and Caregivers

Frontline workers and caregivers are often the first to notice digital harm. They need training, tools, and clear guidance to respond safely.

Workers should learn:

• The basics of technology safety and how TFGBV appears in client care (see Chapter 5, and Chapter 14).
• Trauma‑informed and disability‑inclusive communication (see Chapter 12 to learn about how to talk about TFGBV)
• How to help clients preserve digital evidence without increasing risk
• How to support reporting, referrals, and safety planning (see Chapter 15: Responding to TFGBV With Clients)
• How to use plain language and accessible explanations for clients with diverse communication needs.

Training should be refreshed regularly so staff stay confident and prepared

Staying Informed About New Threats

Technology evolves quickly. New features, scams, forms of online violence, and platform changes can create new risks for clients. Staying informed helps organizations anticipate harm rather than reacting after it occurs.

Care leads and organizational leaders should prioritize:

• Regular reviews of privacy and security settings on eHealth platforms and communication tools.
• Staying aware of new scams, phishing attempts, and app policy changes.
• Keeping all service devices, apps, and internal care‑flow structures updated.

These practices reduce vulnerabilities, strengthen organizational readiness, and support early recognition of TFGBV.

Staff Conduct and Digital Boundaries

Clear digital‑conduct policies protect both clients and workers. They set expectations, reduce risk, and create accountability. Key policy practices include:

• Obtain consent before taking photos before or using a client’s device.
• Never share client images or personal data outside approved processes.
• Establish rules for using facility devices during work hours for client response and care (phones, tablets, wearables).
• Review caregiver, clinician, and other staff digital logs and app entries for inconsistencies.
• Treat TFGBV as a form of violence requiring appropriate referrals.
• Make TFGBV and digital‑safety training mandatory and regularly renewed.

Strong boundaries help prevent misuse and build trust.

Digital Incident Reporting and Response

A clear process helps staff respond quickly and safely when TFGBV is suspected. We previously provided an example incident response flowchart and chain of response (see Chapter 15: Responding to TFGBV With Clients), which can be adapted and should be regularly reviewed and updated to include essential institution-specific details.

Prevention Through Policy and Training

Prevention is stronger when safety and prevention strategies are built into everyday practice. Prevention strategies within frontline service settings include:

• Regular TFGBV, digital‑safety, and online integrity and ethics training.
• Privacy Impact Assessments before adopting new caregiver apps or digital tools.
• Client education through workshops, fact sheets, and diverse formats of accessible materials.
• Data minimization, where only data that is necessary is collected.
• Develop clear data‑retention and deletion policies.

These measures can reduce levels of misuse and strengthen organizational safety culture.

However, ultimately, online spaces can only be made as safe as the platforms allow them to be. As such, advocating with your organisation for safety by design, and using your influence and voice to promote causes which hold digital platforms accountable for allowing TFGBV to persist, is a big way that you can support safety for all.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Sustainability

Ongoing evaluation helps organisations understand what is working and where improvements are needed. TFGBV prevention requires continuous monitoring and adaptation. What to measure:

•  Proportion (%) of all GBV cases which were committed, facilitated or amplified through the use of technology.
• Proportion (%) of survivors who were referred for external supports.
• Proportion (%) of survivors who were satisfied with their referrals and subsequent supports (if consenting to provide the information).
• Implementation of training and staff confidence level in identifying, responding to, and educating about TFGBV, before and after training.
• Collect anonymous feedback from service users, survivors, staff, partner organisations, and the community.

Sustainability practices strengthen safety practices in the long-term. They help organisations maintain momentum, adapt to new risks, and ensure that TFGBV prevention and response strategies do not go out-of-date, or fade over time. These practices include:

• Offering annual or bi‑annual TFGBV refresher training for staff, partner organisations, and communities.
  Regular refreshers help communities stay confident as technology, platforms, and forms of digital harm evolve. They also reinforce shared language, expectations, and trauma‑informed approaches across the organisation.
• Quarterly case reviews.
  Reviewing cases or service uses every few months may help teams to identify patterns, gaps in services and safety, and new or emerging risks. These reviews can highlight where policies/training are working, where staff need more support, and where new procedures may be required.
• Regular updates to referral lists and policies.
  Keeping referral lists current, and actively engaging with referral partners on a regular basis helps ensure that clients receive timely, appropriate support. Policies should also be updated to reflect new technologies, legal requirements, and organisational learning.
• Adjustments based on new technology trends.
  Organisations should build in a routine for monitoring these changes and adjusting safety plans, training materials, and internal procedures accordingly. The Safety Net Project website, which is linked here, provides regular global technology abuse and safety updates.

Together, these sustainability practices help organisations remain responsive, accountable, and prepared. They ensure that TFGBV prevention is not a static policy but an ongoing commitment woven into everyday care.

Resources