{"id":947,"date":"2026-03-11T20:18:41","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T00:18:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=947"},"modified":"2026-04-20T14:41:56","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T18:41:56","slug":"chapter-4-gender-disability-and-tfgbv","status":"web-only","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/chapter\/chapter-4-gender-disability-and-tfgbv\/","title":{"raw":"Chapter 4: Gender, Disability and TFGBV","rendered":"Chapter 4: Gender, Disability and TFGBV"},"content":{"raw":"<p style=\"text-align: right\"><a id=\"quick-exit-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/google.ca\" title=\"Quick Exit\">EXIT SITE<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n<h1>Chapter 4: Gender, Disability and TFGBV<\/h1>\r\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--learning-objectives\"><header class=\"textbox__header\">\r\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Learning Objectives<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Understand how disability and gender can create unique experiences of TFGBV.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\nTechnology-facilitated violence impacts everyone... So why do we need to talk about gender and disability?\r\n\r\nWhile it is true that technology-facilitated violence is experienced by people of all gender, disability status and other identities, women with disabilities may encounter unique harms, that are made worse because of other unique experiences of vulnerability.\r\n\r\n<em><strong>Let's think about a different scenario to understand how vulnerabilities are created.<\/strong><\/em>\r\n<h1>An example scenario:<\/h1>\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><strong>Someone physically attacks you. What do you do?<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-1.png\" alt=\"A man wearing all black clothing, attempting to steal the purse of a woman with brown hair. The woman is afraid. The man is angry.\" width=\"673\" height=\"379\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-465\" \/>\r\n\r\n<span>[h5p id=\"19\"]<\/span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: 1em;text-align: initial\">In both scenarios, the <strong>same crime was committed<\/strong> against you. However, the <strong>context changed how you were able to respond<\/strong>, receive support, and heal. While this is an imperfect example of offline violence, it shows how certain contexts can enable or disable people.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<em><strong>This remains true in online violence scenarios.<\/strong><\/em>\r\n\r\nFor women with disabilities, the context of a misogynistic and ableist society impacts daily life. Digital technology and online worlds replicate existing offline misogynistic and ableist systems.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<img src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-2-e1772042063354.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"627\" height=\"214\" class=\"wp-image-466 aligncenter\" \/>\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n<h1>Disability and Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence<\/h1>\r\n<em>Women with disabilities may face different structural or systemic barriers. These barriers can include things like:<\/em>\r\n\r\n<strong>More physical and digital isolation.<\/strong> Often, inaccessible or unwelcoming spaces will prevent women with disabilities from participating in many areas of society. This means that there are fewer witnesses to violence, and can increase vulnerability.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_472\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"527\"]<img src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-4-e1772044323120.png\" alt=\"A woman (light skin, wearing a pink hijab) is surrounded by others who are talking amongst themselves, without speaking to her. She looks concerned.\" width=\"527\" height=\"227\" class=\"wp-image-472\" \/> Being isolated can make you feel like you have no one to support or help you, even if this is not the truth.[\/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>More dependence on caregivers and loved ones.<\/strong> Many people with disabilities rely on support from paid or unpaid caregivers, making them at risk for abuse by these people.\r\n\r\n<strong>More dependence on technology.\u00a0<\/strong>Often, people with disabilities use technology to support their navigation through daily life (such as communication, mobility, access to work or school). However, this increased reliance on tech can be used to exploit, manipulate, or control people.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_469\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"578\"]<img src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-3-e1772042895275.png\" alt=\"Three people use different digital devices in their daily lives. Two adults stand together, one holding a tablet with alternative communication icons and the other using a smartphone. Nearby, an older person sits in a supportive chair, wearing operating an assistive communication screen that is attached to their wheelchair.\" width=\"578\" height=\"183\" class=\"wp-image-469\" style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\" \/> Technology supports daily life for many people with disabilities, but dependence on it can also create risks.[\/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>More risk of devices being taken, monitored, or misused<\/strong>. Women with disabilities may rely on caregivers or family members for certain daily tasks, or have less physical autonomy to use their own devices. Because of this, \"care\" might be used as an excuse for taking away or monitoring devices.\r\n\r\n<strong>Limited private time or private space<\/strong>. Disabilities can create situations that create constant surveillance for health-related reasons. Often, this lack of privacy can be used against people.\r\n\r\n<strong>Lower digital literacy or education<\/strong>. Women with disabilities have historically lower levels of digital competency due to inaccessible education and devices, which overall compromises their online safety.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_480\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"559\"]<img src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-5-e1772045583752.png\" alt=\"Two figures stand side by side, one marked with a Wi\u2011Fi symbol and the other with an X, separated by a jagged line to show unequal access to connectivity and the divide it creates.\" width=\"559\" height=\"202\" class=\"wp-image-480\" \/> The digital divide creates unequal access to opportunities and community participation. It can also increase vulnerability to violence.[\/caption]\r\n\r\n<strong>Inaccessible and non-inclusive reporting, safety and education. <\/strong>While tools to report and protect against TFGBV exist, many of them are not accessible for people with disabilities, or poorly explained. Therefore, people with disabilities are less likely to benefit from these tools.\r\n\r\n<strong>Gendered-disability stigma. <\/strong>Women, people with disabilities, and women with disabilities often encounter societal stigma that creates inequality. These groups are frequently infantilized, fetishized, and\/or degraded and demeaned. This carries over into TFGBV.\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n<h1>TFGBV in South Africa<\/h1>\r\nIn South Africa, the barriers mentioned above are very common. This is because there are many existing stigmas and discrimination around disability and gender.\r\n\r\nFor example, infantilization of women with disabilities is common. This further disables women by assuming that they are powerless or have no autonomy, or cannot make wise decisions (<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/09687599.2017.1409102\">Capri &amp; Swartz, 2018<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/josi.12342\">Olkin et al., 2019<\/a>). These assumptions may lead to increased risk of coercive control being masked as \"helping\".\r\n\r\nOverall, there is a disproportionately high rate of gender-based violence in South Africa, with <b>35.8% (1 in 3)<span> of women <\/span><\/b>having experienced some form of gender-based violence in their lifetime (<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4102\/safp.v65i1.5729\">Govender, 2023<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/news\/2024\/11\/25\/confronting-south-africas-crisis-gender-based-violence\">Masiko-Mpaka, 2024<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fgwh.2024.1199743\">Mkwananzi &amp; Nathane-Taulela, 2024<\/a>). Moreover, levels of proper <span>documenting, reporting, intervening and preventing gender-based violence is currently a major health challenge (<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4102\/safp.v65i1.5729\">Govender, 2023<\/a>)<\/span>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"715\"]<img src=\"https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/embed_xxl\/public\/media_2021\/11\/202111africa_southafrica_gbv.jpg?itok=iX_i2tfm\" alt=\"A crowd marches in protest against gender\u2011based violence, wearing black shirts that read \u201cStop Violence Against Women.\u201d Some carry South African flags and hold signs, including one stating \u201cReal men don\u2019t rape.\u201d\" width=\"715\" height=\"475\" \/> General view during the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) protest march organized by the Office of The Premier in collaboration with Phepha Foundation on April 26, 2021 in Durban, South Africa. \u00a9 2021 Darren Stewart\/Gallo Images via Getty Images (Taken from <em>Human Rights Watch<\/em>).[\/caption]\r\n\r\nSouth Africa often has undereducated reporting systems about technology-facilitated violence for women with disabilities, making it difficult to report and find help for technology-facilitated violence.\u00a0 For example, disability-specific forms of violence such as taking away assistive technology, or abuse by caregivers may be less likely to be believed because they are not \"generic\" forms of TFGBV.\r\n\r\nTechnology-facilitated gender-based violence is often not taken seriously by law enforcement or by others. Because of this, many survivors will wonder if they are being \"too sensitive\" or making a big deal of nothing... and many times they will not report violence.\r\n\r\nIn addition, many people have misconceptions about TFGBV, for example, saying \"Oh it's not so bad. Just turn off your computer!\" However, TFGBV has huge implications and impacts on survivors that go far beyond the screen.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_556\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1221\"]<img src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-7.png\" alt=\"A person sits with their knees drawn up, holding a smartphone close enough to hide their face.\" width=\"1221\" height=\"687\" class=\"wp-image-556 \" \/> TFGBV can lead to both online and offline harms.[\/caption]\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n<h1>How Can Different Forms of Disability Shape Risks?<\/h1>\r\n<!--StartFragment -->\r\n\r\nDisability does not <em>cause<\/em> tech\u2011facilitated gender\u2011based violence (TFGBV), but different access needs can change <strong>how<\/strong> abuse shows up and <strong>what makes someone more at risk or harder to reach for support.<\/strong> The following examples are not exhaustive, but they can illustrate common patterns associated with different access needs.\r\n\r\n<!--EndFragment -->\r\n\r\n<span>[h5p id=\"20\"]<\/span>\r\n\r\nIf you think of others, leave them in the comment section below (online version)!\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--key-takeaways\"><header class=\"textbox__header\">\r\n<p class=\"textbox__title\" style=\"text-align: center\">Reflection<\/p>\r\n\r\n<\/header>\r\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\r\n\r\nWhich of these vulnerabilities have you witnessed? How did they show up in your life or the life of someone you know of?\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n<hr \/>\r\n\r\n<h2><strong>Resources<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<div class=\"csl-bib-body\">\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Capri, C., &amp; Swartz, L. (2018). \u2018We are actually, after all, just children\u2019: Caring societies and South African infantilisation of adults with intellectual disability. <i>Disability &amp; Society<\/i>, <i>33<\/i>(2), 285\u2013308. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/09687599.2017.1409102\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/09687599.2017.1409102.<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"csl-entry\">Govender, I. (2023). Gender-based violence \u2013 An increasing epidemic in South Africa. <i>South African Family Practice<\/i>, <i>65<\/i>(1), 5729. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4102\/safp.v65i1.5729\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4102\/safp.v65i1.5729.<\/a><span class=\"Z3988\" title=\"url_ver=Z39.88-2004&amp;ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&amp;rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fzotero.org%3A2&amp;rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.4102%2Fsafp.v65i1.5729&amp;rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&amp;rft.genre=article&amp;rft.atitle=Gender-based%20violence%20%E2%80%93%20An%20increasing%20epidemic%20in%20South%20Africa&amp;rft.jtitle=South%20African%20Family%20Practice&amp;rft.stitle=S%20Afr%20Fam%20Pract%20(2004)&amp;rft.volume=65&amp;rft.issue=1&amp;rft.aufirst=Indiran&amp;rft.aulast=Govender&amp;rft.au=Indiran%20Govender&amp;rft.date=2023-03-31&amp;rft.pages=5729&amp;rft.issn=2078-6190\"><\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<div class=\"csl-bib-body\">\r\n<div class=\"csl-entry\">Masboungi, C., &amp; Quarterman, L. (2025, June 12). When will we listen? - Centering girls\u2019 voices in our efforts on technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV). <i>Sexual Violence Research Initiative<\/i>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.svri.org\/when-will-we-listen-centering-girls-voices-in-our-efforts-on-technology-facilitated-gender-based-violence-tfgbv\/\">https:\/\/www.svri.org\/when-will-we-listen-centering-girls-voices-in-our-efforts-on-technology-facilitated-gender-based-violence-tfgbv\/<\/a>.<\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"csl-entry\">Masiko-Mpaka, N. (2024, November 25). Confronting South Africa\u2019s Crisis of Gender-Based Violence. <i style=\"font-size: 1em\">Human Rights Watch<\/i><span style=\"font-size: 1em\">. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/news\/2024\/11\/25\/confronting-south-africas-crisis-gender-based-violence\" style=\"font-size: 1em\">https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/news\/2024\/11\/25\/confronting-south-africas-crisis-gender-based-violence<\/a><span style=\"font-size: 1em\">.<\/span><\/li>\r\n \t<li>Mkwananzi, S., &amp; Nathane-Taulela, M. (2024). Gender-based violence and femicide interventions-perspectives from community members and activists in South Africa. <i>Frontiers in Global Women\u2019s Health<\/i>, <i>5<\/i>, 1199743. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fgwh.2024.1199743\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fgwh.2024.1199743.<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li class=\"csl-entry\">Olkin, R., Hayward, H., Abbene, M. S., &amp; Van Heel, G. (2019). The Experiences of Microaggressions against Women with Visible and Invisible Disabilities. <i>Journal of Social Issues<\/i>, <i>75<\/i>(3), 757\u2013785. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/josi.12342\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/josi.12342.<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t<li>\r\n<div class=\"csl-bib-body\">\r\n<div class=\"csl-entry\">South Africa: Broken Promises to Aid Gender-Based Violence Survivors. (2021, November 24). <i>Human Rights Watch<\/i>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/news\/2021\/11\/24\/south-africa-broken-promises-aid-gender-based-violence-survivors\">https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/news\/2021\/11\/24\/south-africa-broken-promises-aid-gender-based-violence-survivors<\/a><\/div>\r\n<\/div><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>","rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: right\"><a id=\"quick-exit-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/google.ca\" title=\"Quick Exit\">EXIT SITE<\/a><\/p>\n<h1>Chapter 4: Gender, Disability and TFGBV<\/h1>\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--learning-objectives\">\n<header class=\"textbox__header\">\n<p class=\"textbox__title\">Learning Objectives<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\n<ul>\n<li>Understand how disability and gender can create unique experiences of TFGBV.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<p>Technology-facilitated violence impacts everyone&#8230; So why do we need to talk about gender and disability?<\/p>\n<p>While it is true that technology-facilitated violence is experienced by people of all gender, disability status and other identities, women with disabilities may encounter unique harms, that are made worse because of other unique experiences of vulnerability.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Let&#8217;s think about a different scenario to understand how vulnerabilities are created.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<h1>An example scenario:<\/h1>\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><strong>Someone physically attacks you. What do you do?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-1.png\" alt=\"A man wearing all black clothing, attempting to steal the purse of a woman with brown hair. The woman is afraid. The man is angry.\" width=\"673\" height=\"379\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-465\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-1.png 1920w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-1-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-1-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-1-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-1-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-1-65x37.png 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-1-225x127.png 225w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-1-350x197.png 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 673px) 100vw, 673px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span><\/p>\n<div id=\"h5p-19\">\n<div class=\"h5p-iframe-wrapper\"><iframe id=\"h5p-iframe-19\" class=\"h5p-iframe\" data-content-id=\"19\" style=\"height:1px\" src=\"about:blank\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" title=\"Chapter 4: Scenarios\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-size: 1em;text-align: initial\">In both scenarios, the <strong>same crime was committed<\/strong> against you. However, the <strong>context changed how you were able to respond<\/strong>, receive support, and heal. While this is an imperfect example of offline violence, it shows how certain contexts can enable or disable people.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>This remains true in online violence scenarios.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>For women with disabilities, the context of a misogynistic and ableist society impacts daily life. Digital technology and online worlds replicate existing offline misogynistic and ableist systems.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-2-e1772042063354.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"627\" height=\"214\" class=\"wp-image-466 aligncenter\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-2-e1772042063354.png 1920w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-2-e1772042063354-300x103.png 300w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-2-e1772042063354-1024x350.png 1024w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-2-e1772042063354-768x262.png 768w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-2-e1772042063354-1536x525.png 1536w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-2-e1772042063354-65x22.png 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-2-e1772042063354-225x77.png 225w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-2-e1772042063354-350x120.png 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 627px) 100vw, 627px\" \/><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h1>Disability and Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence<\/h1>\n<p><em>Women with disabilities may face different structural or systemic barriers. These barriers can include things like:<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>More physical and digital isolation.<\/strong> Often, inaccessible or unwelcoming spaces will prevent women with disabilities from participating in many areas of society. This means that there are fewer witnesses to violence, and can increase vulnerability.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_472\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-472\" style=\"width: 527px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-4-e1772044323120.png\" alt=\"A woman (light skin, wearing a pink hijab) is surrounded by others who are talking amongst themselves, without speaking to her. She looks concerned.\" width=\"527\" height=\"227\" class=\"wp-image-472\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-4-e1772044323120.png 1920w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-4-e1772044323120-300x129.png 300w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-4-e1772044323120-1024x441.png 1024w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-4-e1772044323120-768x330.png 768w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-4-e1772044323120-1536x661.png 1536w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-4-e1772044323120-65x28.png 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-4-e1772044323120-225x97.png 225w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-4-e1772044323120-350x151.png 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 527px) 100vw, 527px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-472\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Being isolated can make you feel like you have no one to support or help you, even if this is not the truth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>More dependence on caregivers and loved ones.<\/strong> Many people with disabilities rely on support from paid or unpaid caregivers, making them at risk for abuse by these people.<\/p>\n<p><strong>More dependence on technology.\u00a0<\/strong>Often, people with disabilities use technology to support their navigation through daily life (such as communication, mobility, access to work or school). However, this increased reliance on tech can be used to exploit, manipulate, or control people.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_469\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-469\" style=\"width: 578px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-3-e1772042895275.png\" alt=\"Three people use different digital devices in their daily lives. Two adults stand together, one holding a tablet with alternative communication icons and the other using a smartphone. Nearby, an older person sits in a supportive chair, wearing operating an assistive communication screen that is attached to their wheelchair.\" width=\"578\" height=\"183\" class=\"wp-image-469\" style=\"text-align: initial;font-size: 1em\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-3-e1772042895275.png 1920w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-3-e1772042895275-300x95.png 300w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-3-e1772042895275-1024x324.png 1024w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-3-e1772042895275-768x243.png 768w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-3-e1772042895275-1536x486.png 1536w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-3-e1772042895275-65x21.png 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-3-e1772042895275-225x71.png 225w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-3-e1772042895275-350x111.png 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 578px) 100vw, 578px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-469\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Technology supports daily life for many people with disabilities, but dependence on it can also create risks.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>More risk of devices being taken, monitored, or misused<\/strong>. Women with disabilities may rely on caregivers or family members for certain daily tasks, or have less physical autonomy to use their own devices. Because of this, &#8220;care&#8221; might be used as an excuse for taking away or monitoring devices.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Limited private time or private space<\/strong>. Disabilities can create situations that create constant surveillance for health-related reasons. Often, this lack of privacy can be used against people.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Lower digital literacy or education<\/strong>. Women with disabilities have historically lower levels of digital competency due to inaccessible education and devices, which overall compromises their online safety.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_480\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-480\" style=\"width: 559px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-5-e1772045583752.png\" alt=\"Two figures stand side by side, one marked with a Wi\u2011Fi symbol and the other with an X, separated by a jagged line to show unequal access to connectivity and the divide it creates.\" width=\"559\" height=\"202\" class=\"wp-image-480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-5-e1772045583752.png 1920w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-5-e1772045583752-300x108.png 300w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-5-e1772045583752-1024x370.png 1024w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-5-e1772045583752-768x278.png 768w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-5-e1772045583752-1536x555.png 1536w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-5-e1772045583752-65x23.png 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-5-e1772045583752-225x81.png 225w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-5-e1772045583752-350x127.png 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 559px) 100vw, 559px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-480\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The digital divide creates unequal access to opportunities and community participation. It can also increase vulnerability to violence.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><strong>Inaccessible and non-inclusive reporting, safety and education. <\/strong>While tools to report and protect against TFGBV exist, many of them are not accessible for people with disabilities, or poorly explained. Therefore, people with disabilities are less likely to benefit from these tools.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Gendered-disability stigma. <\/strong>Women, people with disabilities, and women with disabilities often encounter societal stigma that creates inequality. These groups are frequently infantilized, fetishized, and\/or degraded and demeaned. This carries over into TFGBV.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h1>TFGBV in South Africa<\/h1>\n<p>In South Africa, the barriers mentioned above are very common. This is because there are many existing stigmas and discrimination around disability and gender.<\/p>\n<p>For example, infantilization of women with disabilities is common. This further disables women by assuming that they are powerless or have no autonomy, or cannot make wise decisions (<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/09687599.2017.1409102\">Capri &amp; Swartz, 2018<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/josi.12342\">Olkin et al., 2019<\/a>). These assumptions may lead to increased risk of coercive control being masked as &#8220;helping&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p>Overall, there is a disproportionately high rate of gender-based violence in South Africa, with <b>35.8% (1 in 3)<span> of women <\/span><\/b>having experienced some form of gender-based violence in their lifetime (<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4102\/safp.v65i1.5729\">Govender, 2023<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/news\/2024\/11\/25\/confronting-south-africas-crisis-gender-based-violence\">Masiko-Mpaka, 2024<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fgwh.2024.1199743\">Mkwananzi &amp; Nathane-Taulela, 2024<\/a>). Moreover, levels of proper <span>documenting, reporting, intervening and preventing gender-based violence is currently a major health challenge (<a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4102\/safp.v65i1.5729\">Govender, 2023<\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n<figure style=\"width: 715px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/embed_xxl\/public\/media_2021\/11\/202111africa_southafrica_gbv.jpg?itok=iX_i2tfm\" alt=\"A crowd marches in protest against gender\u2011based violence, wearing black shirts that read \u201cStop Violence Against Women.\u201d Some carry South African flags and hold signs, including one stating \u201cReal men don\u2019t rape.\u201d\" width=\"715\" height=\"475\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\">General view during the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) protest march organized by the Office of The Premier in collaboration with Phepha Foundation on April 26, 2021 in Durban, South Africa. \u00a9 2021 Darren Stewart\/Gallo Images via Getty Images (Taken from <em>Human Rights Watch<\/em>).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>South Africa often has undereducated reporting systems about technology-facilitated violence for women with disabilities, making it difficult to report and find help for technology-facilitated violence.\u00a0 For example, disability-specific forms of violence such as taking away assistive technology, or abuse by caregivers may be less likely to be believed because they are not &#8220;generic&#8221; forms of TFGBV.<\/p>\n<p>Technology-facilitated gender-based violence is often not taken seriously by law enforcement or by others. Because of this, many survivors will wonder if they are being &#8220;too sensitive&#8221; or making a big deal of nothing&#8230; and many times they will not report violence.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, many people have misconceptions about TFGBV, for example, saying &#8220;Oh it&#8217;s not so bad. Just turn off your computer!&#8221; However, TFGBV has huge implications and impacts on survivors that go far beyond the screen.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_556\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-556\" style=\"width: 1221px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-7.png\" alt=\"A person sits with their knees drawn up, holding a smartphone close enough to hide their face.\" width=\"1221\" height=\"687\" class=\"wp-image-556\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-7.png 1920w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-7-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-7-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-7-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-7-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-7-65x37.png 65w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-7-225x127.png 225w, https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/450\/2026\/01\/a-7-350x197.png 350w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1221px) 100vw, 1221px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-556\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">TFGBV can lead to both online and offline harms.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<hr \/>\n<h1>How Can Different Forms of Disability Shape Risks?<\/h1>\n<p><!--StartFragment --><\/p>\n<p>Disability does not <em>cause<\/em> tech\u2011facilitated gender\u2011based violence (TFGBV), but different access needs can change <strong>how<\/strong> abuse shows up and <strong>what makes someone more at risk or harder to reach for support.<\/strong> The following examples are not exhaustive, but they can illustrate common patterns associated with different access needs.<\/p>\n<p><!--EndFragment --><\/p>\n<p><span><\/p>\n<div id=\"h5p-20\">\n<div class=\"h5p-iframe-wrapper\"><iframe id=\"h5p-iframe-20\" class=\"h5p-iframe\" data-content-id=\"20\" style=\"height:1px\" src=\"about:blank\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" title=\"Chapter 4: Disability shapes abuse\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p>If you think of others, leave them in the comment section below (online version)!<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<div class=\"textbox textbox--key-takeaways\">\n<header class=\"textbox__header\">\n<p class=\"textbox__title\" style=\"text-align: center\">Reflection<\/p>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"textbox__content\">\n<p>Which of these vulnerabilities have you witnessed? How did they show up in your life or the life of someone you know of?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<hr \/>\n<h2><strong>Resources<\/strong><\/h2>\n<div class=\"csl-bib-body\">\n<ul>\n<li>Capri, C., &amp; Swartz, L. (2018). \u2018We are actually, after all, just children\u2019: Caring societies and South African infantilisation of adults with intellectual disability. <i>Disability &amp; Society<\/i>, <i>33<\/i>(2), 285\u2013308. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/09687599.2017.1409102\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/09687599.2017.1409102.<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"csl-entry\">Govender, I. (2023). Gender-based violence \u2013 An increasing epidemic in South Africa. <i>South African Family Practice<\/i>, <i>65<\/i>(1), 5729. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4102\/safp.v65i1.5729\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.4102\/safp.v65i1.5729.<\/a><span class=\"Z3988\" title=\"url_ver=Z39.88-2004&amp;ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&amp;rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fzotero.org%3A2&amp;rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.4102%2Fsafp.v65i1.5729&amp;rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&amp;rft.genre=article&amp;rft.atitle=Gender-based%20violence%20%E2%80%93%20An%20increasing%20epidemic%20in%20South%20Africa&amp;rft.jtitle=South%20African%20Family%20Practice&amp;rft.stitle=S%20Afr%20Fam%20Pract%20(2004)&amp;rft.volume=65&amp;rft.issue=1&amp;rft.aufirst=Indiran&amp;rft.aulast=Govender&amp;rft.au=Indiran%20Govender&amp;rft.date=2023-03-31&amp;rft.pages=5729&amp;rft.issn=2078-6190\"><\/span><\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"csl-bib-body\">\n<div class=\"csl-entry\">Masboungi, C., &amp; Quarterman, L. (2025, June 12). When will we listen? &#8211; Centering girls\u2019 voices in our efforts on technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV). <i>Sexual Violence Research Initiative<\/i>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.svri.org\/when-will-we-listen-centering-girls-voices-in-our-efforts-on-technology-facilitated-gender-based-violence-tfgbv\/\">https:\/\/www.svri.org\/when-will-we-listen-centering-girls-voices-in-our-efforts-on-technology-facilitated-gender-based-violence-tfgbv\/<\/a>.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"csl-entry\">Masiko-Mpaka, N. (2024, November 25). Confronting South Africa\u2019s Crisis of Gender-Based Violence. <i style=\"font-size: 1em\">Human Rights Watch<\/i><span style=\"font-size: 1em\">. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/news\/2024\/11\/25\/confronting-south-africas-crisis-gender-based-violence\" style=\"font-size: 1em\">https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/news\/2024\/11\/25\/confronting-south-africas-crisis-gender-based-violence<\/a><span style=\"font-size: 1em\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li>Mkwananzi, S., &amp; Nathane-Taulela, M. (2024). Gender-based violence and femicide interventions-perspectives from community members and activists in South Africa. <i>Frontiers in Global Women\u2019s Health<\/i>, <i>5<\/i>, 1199743. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fgwh.2024.1199743\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fgwh.2024.1199743.<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=\"csl-entry\">Olkin, R., Hayward, H., Abbene, M. S., &amp; Van Heel, G. (2019). The Experiences of Microaggressions against Women with Visible and Invisible Disabilities. <i>Journal of Social Issues<\/i>, <i>75<\/i>(3), 757\u2013785. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/josi.12342\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/josi.12342.<\/a><\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"csl-bib-body\">\n<div class=\"csl-entry\">South Africa: Broken Promises to Aid Gender-Based Violence Survivors. (2021, November 24). <i>Human Rights Watch<\/i>. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/news\/2021\/11\/24\/south-africa-broken-promises-aid-gender-based-violence-survivors\">https:\/\/www.hrw.org\/news\/2021\/11\/24\/south-africa-broken-promises-aid-gender-based-violence-survivors<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"author":554,"menu_order":5,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"pb_show_title":"","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[48],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-947","chapter","type-chapter","status-web-only","hentry","chapter-type-standard"],"part":33,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/947","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/554"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=947"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/947\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1026,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/947\/revisions\/1026"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/33"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/947\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=947"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=947"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=947"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca\/tfgbvsafetytraining\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=947"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}