The Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation (NPCF) has announced a new two-year, $345,000 partnership with the Hunter Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Consortium. The funding will secure the scaling and digitisation of the Technology-Facilitated Abuse Playbook, an operational resource launched by the organisations in 2024 to assist frontline workers supporting victim-survivors.
Technology-facilitated abuse involves the use of digital devices and online platforms for harassment, cyberstalking, and the monitoring of accounts. Data from the Australian eSafety Commissioner and the NSW Government indicate that nearly all Australian DFV practitioners have supported clients experiencing digital targeting, while approximately two-thirds of recorded coercive control incidents involve remote tracking and surveillance.
The digitised rollout will be led by consortium member Family Support Newcastle, targeting an initial cohort of 300 caseworkers across the Hunter region. The initiative provides trauma-informed digital tools designed to help field workers identify and mitigate device-based security risks for clients.
CEO of Family Support Newcastle, Lauren Fisher said the funding addresses a critical capability gap within the regional support infrastructure.
“The Hunter DFV Consortium is incredibly grateful to the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation for recognising the urgency of this issue and investing in innovative responses that strengthen the capacity of the domestic and family violence sector,” Lauren said.
“This project represents a truly collaborative, regionally driven response to an increasingly complex challenge. By equipping frontline workers with practical digital resources and training, we can better support victim-survivors experiencing tech-facilitated abuse.”
The Hunter DFV Consortium operates as a collaborative network of specialist non-government services, including Jenny’s Place, Got Your Back Sista, Warlga Ngurra, Upper Hunter Homeless Support, Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services, Nova for Women and Children, and Carrie’s Place.
Chair of the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation, Catherine Robson said the investment aligns with the foundation’s mandate to finance scalable, structural community solutions.
“It is an honour to be able to partner with Hunter Domestic and Family Violence Consortium again and digitise the Technology-Facilitated Abuse Playbook, which is an important next step of this initiative,” Catherine said.
“Resources like this Playbook are becoming a crucial need within our communities to help those in their most challenging times. This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting organisations that empower individuals and strengthen our communities and we look forward to seeing the growing impact for years to come.”
The transition of the playbook into a digital format is intended to allow for rapid updates as consumer technologies and digital surveillance methods evolve, providing a standardized framework for regional support agencies.
IMAGE | Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation provides $345,000 to combat tech-facilitated abuse
