About this Research Topic
This article collection will expand on a significant problem within the area of coercive control and domestic abuse, the introduction of the Internet of Things (IoT), and other forms of technology meant to make our day-to-day lives easier. While these technologies have the potential to make life significantly more convenient, these technologies can be used to facilitate abuse and other forms of cyber-deviance, which results in coercive control or domestic abuse. The constant interaction with technology being normalized will have increased the ease of technology-facilitated coercive control and domestic abuse, potentially leading to the need for specialist support for traumatic experiences, suicidal ideation/attempt, or mood regulation. Overall, little is known of the impact of IoT devices on an international level as well as other forms of cyber-deviance used for the same purpose of power and control.
In cases of IoT, this technology can be used to facilitate the control of other individuals. IoT includes various inconspicuous technologies integrated into everyday life for the purpose of convenience, such as temperature control, smart speakers, and smart houses/vehicles. This is particularly true in the United Kingdom (UK), where the majority of the research has lacked regulatory and legal frameworks for guidance, like research in the United States (US). Research in the UK focuses on victims and survivors of domestic abuse and suggests that knowledge exchange is necessary with support services to better understand the phenomena. These support services could include psychiatric support, due to the trauma involved. Research from the US suggests perpetrators use IoT for spatial and temporal control, continuing the harm of coercion or domestic abuse that is considered economical, convenient, and efficient. The first Technology-Enabled Coercive Control Clinic, a community-based project with volunteer technologists, has proven effective in increasing survivors’ safety plans, knowledge, and support. Cyberstalking is also used for coercive control and domestic abuse and is an example of cyber-deviance and has a serious impact on mental health, often resulting in anxiety and depression where there is a lack of support in terms of specialized services. Some other examples of cyber-deviance include revenge pornography, cyber aggression, and cyber flashing (list not exhaustive). All forms of cyber-deviance can result in trauma and it is important to further understand how coercive control and domestic abuse present in online environments to reduce the impact of technology-facilitated abuse.
As technology-facilitated abuse through IoT and cyber-deviance are relatively new concepts, this collection aims to provide a broad interdisciplinary perspective, with a focus on topics such as psychiatric disorders, spatial and temporal control, psychological well-being, cybersecurity and psychiatric wellbeing, and victim/survivor or perpetrator focused research, as long as there is a clear application between the IoT or cyber-deviance study and psychiatric research. This could include original research, evidence based reviews with recommendations that improve our understanding of psychiatry for this special group, or articles that develop upon psychiatric theory to better understand the conditions of those who experience or perpetrate coercive control and domestic abuse through technology.
In cases of IoT, this technology can be used to facilitate the control of other individuals. IoT includes various inconspicuous technologies integrated into everyday life for the purpose of convenience, such as temperature control, smart speakers, and smart houses/vehicles. This is particularly true in the United Kingdom (UK), where the majority of the research has lacked regulatory and legal frameworks for guidance, like research in the United States (US). Research in the UK focuses on victims and survivors of domestic abuse and suggests that knowledge exchange is necessary with support services to better understand the phenomena. These support services could include psychiatric support, due to the trauma involved. Research from the US suggests perpetrators use IoT for spatial and temporal control, continuing the harm of coercion or domestic abuse that is considered economical, convenient, and efficient. The first Technology-Enabled Coercive Control Clinic, a community-based project with volunteer technologists, has proven effective in increasing survivors’ safety plans, knowledge, and support. Cyberstalking is also used for coercive control and domestic abuse and is an example of cyber-deviance and has a serious impact on mental health, often resulting in anxiety and depression where there is a lack of support in terms of specialized services. Some other examples of cyber-deviance include revenge pornography, cyber aggression, and cyber flashing (list not exhaustive). All forms of cyber-deviance can result in trauma and it is important to further understand how coercive control and domestic abuse present in online environments to reduce the impact of technology-facilitated abuse.
As technology-facilitated abuse through IoT and cyber-deviance are relatively new concepts, this collection aims to provide a broad interdisciplinary perspective, with a focus on topics such as psychiatric disorders, spatial and temporal control, psychological well-being, cybersecurity and psychiatric wellbeing, and victim/survivor or perpetrator focused research, as long as there is a clear application between the IoT or cyber-deviance study and psychiatric research. This could include original research, evidence based reviews with recommendations that improve our understanding of psychiatry for this special group, or articles that develop upon psychiatric theory to better understand the conditions of those who experience or perpetrate coercive control and domestic abuse through technology.
Keywords: Coercive Control, Domestic Abuse, Internet of Things, Cyber Deviance, Cyberstalking, Technology Facilitated Abuse
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